International Checkpoint Watch - Daily Observations

Date:            21/11/2001                              Time:  14:30 - 16:30

Place Observed:  Surda

Number of Soldiers Present:  Eight soldiers and one APC at checkpoint.

Soldiers Names, ID #’s, License Plate #’s, Etc: 

APC # 751 770

Armoured transport # 410 434

Events Witnessed:

14:30-  Upon arrival monitors find a young man standing at the side of the road with plastic handcuffs on.  The man stated that had been there since 12:00 and was handcuffed immediately when he reached the checkpoint for no apparent reason.  The monitors ask the soldiers repeatedly about the man but the soldiers refuse to answer our questions. 

14:40-  The handcuffed man is released with no explanation.

15:25-  A soldier urinates in the olive grove in public next to the road.

15:32-  Army transport, license plate # 410 434, arrives from direction of Bet El, soldiers change shifts.

15:43-  Transport leaves.

15:50-  Soldier gawks at some young women and makes a joke to another soldier, they laugh and look back at the women.

16:15-  Soldier offers men fasting for Ramadan mango juice.