International Checkpoint Watch - Daily Observations

Date:  June 16, 2001                                   Time: 16:50- 21:30               

Place Observed:  Surda Checkpoint

Number of Soldiers present: 4  Jeep Number: 669343 tzadee

Events Witnessed:

16:50    Upon arrival we find one young man being detained and forced to sit on the ground in the very hot sun. We try numerous times to have him moved into the shade without success. Although we are not allowed by the soldiers to talk to detainee, he is able to tell us that every time he passes the Surda checkpoint he is detained for about 2 hours and then released. The soldiers allow us to give him water. They tell us he is on their list provided by the police.

From Ramallah to Birzeit only taxis are allowed to pass; passenger cars are not allowed across the checkpoint.  Some taxis are stopped for visual check. From Birzeit to Ramallah it is the same situation--only taxis are allowed to pass and passenger cars are not allowed. No vehicles from this direction are stopped for checks.  One taxi is held for 10 minutes for ID check.

17:20    From Ramallah to Birzeit, nearly every taxi stopped for visual checks. No passenger cars are allowed with 2 exceptions. From Birzeit to Ramallah only taxis are allowed to pass, without checks. No passenger cars are allowed to pass.

17:30    After 40 minutes of sitting on the ground without shade the young man is released.

17:55    Taxis are allowed both ways, almost totally without checks. The only checks are taxis from Ramallah to Birzeit.  Passenger cars are not allowed to pass, minus             two exceptions--one car from each direction. 3 suburbans come up paved road behind Surda sign carrying additional Israeli personnel.

18:25    Soldiers are eating watermelon behind their jeep. Taxis flow freely both ways, almost totally without checks, visual or ID. Passenger cars are still being turned around. Soldiers walk from behind jeep with watermelon in mouth or hand to approach passenger cars and tell them to turn around.

19:00    Taxis are allowed both ways. Several passenger cars pass without questioning. Soldiers are mostly sitting in their jeep. They appear very tired and unenthusiastic.

19:20    Two young men are detained. One is without his ID.

19:50    The young man with the ID is released after he is given an invitation to the police station for questioning.

21:30    The young man without an ID is released after a total of 2 hours and 10 minutes after someone finally brings his ID.   The soldiers looked through the items in his             wallet. He asks us to remain with him as he thinks the soldiers will beat him.