International Checkpoint Watch - Daily Observations

Date:  28/08/01                      Time: 17:00-19:00

Place Observed:  Surda/Birzeit Checkpoint

5:05   There were 2 checkpoints set-up on Surda/Birzeit road.  One by the road that leads to Beit El, and the other on the main road going toward Birzeit.  When we arrived, there were 6 passengers from a taxi being detained. 

5:15  Detainees released, and the soldiers by the Beit El road left.

5:20  At the checkpoint on the main road, soldiers were stopping all cars going in both directions, allowing only people who lived in Birzeit to pass.  People passing on foot were not checked.  There was not much traffic.  Between 5:20 and 5:50, 10 vehicles were denied access.

6:08  A wedding passes through from Birzeit in taxis after being checked.  Some of these taxis are allowed through without checking.

6:10  A car with a female driver has to turn around and return to Ramallah.  A car with a family is allowed through to Birzeit.  A service without passengers is made to turn around and a truck is allowed to pass.

6:15  A taxi with a sick woman is allowed to pass through to Birzeit, but the taxi driver has to leave his ID with the soldiers to ensure that he will come back.  A truck is allowed to pass.

6:25  Truck is allowed to pass from Birzeit to Ramallah

6:30  3 people are checked walking from Ramallah to Birzeit.  The wedding comes back from Ramallah.  They are stopped and checked before being allowed through.

6:35  Red Crescent car with a woman in a wheelchair traveling from Ramallah to Birzeit is checked (soldiers check Ids and inspect the car) and then is allowed to pass.