Artists for World Peace, Inc.

This is from Neta Ephroni who volunteers with Machsom Watch, an Israeli human rights group that monitors the Israeli soldier’s behavior against the Palestinians at checkpoints. This excerpt was taken at Kalandia, near Ramallah, in July 2005.

I’m from Machsom Watch and I come here once a week to this checkpoint called Kalandia and it’s a human rights watch for Palestinians. My tag identifies me, and if we see anything that we think is an infringement of human rights we speak up. It helps. It has helped a lot.I’ve come across some soldiers who don’t speak to me. I guess he doesn’t know (why I’m here) and he was just very pleasant. I said good morning, he said good morning back. He said this (the new ‘processing center’) will open in a month. They’re fine, they’re very pleasant. I don’t see them abusing anyone.

Last week I was here. All of a sudden a young fellow, a Palestinian, age 15 or so, he was shouting and throwing his arms and acting up. Two soldiers immediately pushed him into a corner and a third soldier came along. They have something now called ‘humanitarian’ who helps with the problems. He immediately put his hands on him and talked to him. You could just see this boy simmer down and become more relaxed and talk. I asked what happened, they said ‘he became excited, he was pushing as he came in.’ They didn’t like that

People would try more, they would say ‘I have to get to the hospital, or I have to visit my grandmother,’ they would try to come in without a permit, but they hardly try anymore, it’s really routine. Still, our presence has an effect. Many Palestinians say ‘when you come it’s better.’ They (the soldiers) seem relaxed this morning.

Visit www.machsomwatch.org for more information.

S. Smith Patrick