NABLUS,
July 24 (IslamOnline.net) - Palestinian drivers have come up with a
new creative way to resist long waits at Israeli military checkpoints
in the northern West Bank city of Nablus.
"We
deliberately blow the horns until Israeli soldiers open checkpoints to
avoid the resultant hard-to-ignore deafening noise," one of the
Palestinians told IslamOnline.net on Saturday, July 24.
To
Annan and other drivers, the modest but relatively effective measure
has marked an amazing victory down the road of a struggle against a
long-standing Israeli occupation.
Annan
wheel his car taking local inhabitants from Beit Iba checkpoint for a
ten-kilometer ride to Nablus.
Many
passengers, mostly feeling the pinch of hard economic situation,
depend on passenger cars due to affordable fees.
Ever
since the outbreak of Al-Aqsa Intifada against the Israeli occupation
in September 2000, Palestinians are left stranded at the checkpoint
for hours, if not days.
With
the opening or closure of the checkpoints dependent on the whims of
Israeli soldiers, many passengers are forced back home after being
prevented from crossing though.
Admiration
The
idea of honking horns for getting across attracted admiration among
citizens, hoping to cross the checkpoint unimpeded.
"Sometimes
Israeli soldiers prevent me from passing through the checkpoint. So I
often called car drivers to sound their horns. It worked," said
Nabhan Sharif.
But
he lamented that their freedom of movement could be obtained at such a
way, which he admitted could backlash.
Israeli
forces have repeatedly meted out punishment on car drivers.
Cars
could be forced waiting outside the checkpoint for more than 25 days
on the pretext that they are bringing in chaos in the area. But
drivers discredit the allegation.
"Israelis
held my car and dozen others especially at the checkpoint, with no
reasons cited or they wheel out claims the car was parked outside the
designated area," said Nidal Hassouna.
The
day he is not allowed to wheel his car around, Hassouna returns home
with no food for his family.
Detention
 |
|
Palestinians are left for hours at Israeli checkpoints
|
Rather
more, Israeli soldiers have recently detained drivers with no charges
leveled against them.
Palestinians
have complained of Israel’s growing checkpoints around cities and
villages, which allow occupation forces to bring Palestinians life to
a standstill.
In
Nablus, ten checkpoints were erected, with Israeli soldiers reportedly
using violence on residents.
One
of rules they apply stringently is that those seeking to pass across
the checkpoint should be aged no less than 35.
For
traders and the handicapped, they should get prior permissions from
the Israeli Engagement Department after inquiry among other torturous
procedures.
Criticized
The
checkpoint measures drew criticism of Israeli and foreign human rights
groups.
The
Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied
Territories, B’Tselem, carried a testimony
of Ahmad Muhammad Sharif Amarneh, who was using the Beit Iba for a
treatment from kidney failure in Al-Watani Hospital in Nablus.
"My
past experiences at checkpoints taught me that I have to leave home
very early. I was worried because of the large number of checkpoints
on the way," said Amarneh.
He
and his wife were forced to wait for long hours before allowed to pass
the checkpoint despite carrying medical document of the nature of his
trip.
"We
were delayed for more than an hour at the Beit Iba checkpoint and were
humiliated by the soldiers.
"When
we got to the checkpoint, one of the soldiers started yelling and
cursing at us. My niece became very frightened and began to cry.
"The
soldier looked over my medical documents, but despite the fact that
everything was in order, he delayed us for more than an hour,"
Amarneh recalled.
A
2003 Amnesty International report said restrictions imposed by Israel
in the West Bank and Gaza Strip have had a disastrous
impact on the lives of Palestinians.
The
watchdog said sweeping restrictions "in many cases constitute
collective punishment - prohibited by international law".
The
report stressed that traveling even a short distance between towns and
villages in the West Bank usually entailed "a lengthy, costly and
potentially dangerous journey for Palestinians".
Israeli
army checkpoints frequently forced Palestinians to make major
diversions, often by foot.
"Such
detours are difficult or impossible for the sick, the elderly or those
carrying heavy packages or small children.
"As
an occupying power, Israel has an obligation under international law
to ensure freedom of movement, an adequate standard of living and as
normal a life as possible to the population in the occupied
territories," Amnesty said.
