International Checkpoint Watch - Daily Observations

Date:            29/12/01                                  Time:  8:00 – 9:15/10:30

Place Observed:  Surda

Number of Soldiers Present:  Four

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

Events Witnessed:

8:00-  Four Israeli soldiers on ground randomly checking ID's of Palestinian males.  Those that are waiting for ID checks have to stand in line with their backs turned to the soldiers and the crowed of people attempting to cross the checkpoint.  Many of the men were carring backpacks and books in their hands.  I had asked the one of the soldiers if the men committed a crime in order to be forced to stand as in "punishment."  He responded, "yes, they have."  There were also two other Palestinians made to sit inside an enclosure formed with cement roadblocks. 

No vehicles are allowed to pass through. 

Five internationals from Belgium arrived.  The men stated that they were there to observe and one stated that he is a member of the Belgian Parliament.  He had asked me if it was okay to let the soldiers know that.  I stated that it would probably be best if they told the soldiers who they were and what they were doing there.  Ten minutes after the arrival of the Belgians, the soldiers jumped into their jeeps and left the checkpoint.  The two men sitting in the cement enclosure were left without their ID's. 

10:30-  I came back to the checkpoint and one of the Palestinian men that had been placed in the "sin bin" was still waiting for the Israeli soldiers to come back with his ID.