Internationals have been at the Amman street checkpoint in Nablus
since 7 a.m. this morning
Daily Harassment and humiliation
For Immediate Release International Solidarity Movement
[Amman Street checkpoint, Nablus] November 27, 2002 Internationals have been at the Amman street checkpoint in Nablus since 7 a.m. this morning. Nablus is under curfew today and this checkpoint, created by a tank and apc, divides the city into two parts, east and west, and is particularly problematic. The checkpoint must be passed by hundreds of civilians as they try to go between the refugee camps and the city to buy food, to get medicine, and to get to school. The military faces the civilian population each morning with varying degrees of aggression and force. The large majority of the people attempting to pass are young students trying to get to school; there are also vegetable trucks, emergency and UN vehicles and school buses. All of these people are denied freedom of movement and the very basic right to education.
This morning Internationals witnessed as soldiers on foot literally chased students approaching the checkpoint with their M-16's. Soldiers refused to dialogue with Internationals and even told one International to get out of the area and to "not even try to pass with the students." One jeep confiscated the ID's of over 30 people, most of who are teachers; the jeep has left these people waiting for 2 hours now. There are also currently 15 men being made to stand with their faces to a wall because, according to the soldiers, "they fit the description of a terrorist."
For more information call Internationals at the checkpoint: Siama +97259886752 Kerry +97267572952 END.
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