Students Make up for Israel-destroyed Traffic Lights

Walking up an hour earlier than all others, she takes her simple traffic signs and flies to station herself outside her school.

“It's now harder than ever to organize traffic after the Israeli army bulldozed all traffic lights,” said Zoqan, lifting a stop sign to allow a queue of younger school students to cross the street into the school.

Taking the floor, her college Batoul Hassan said their “work” requires absolute accuracy and alertness.

“We help prevent traffic accidents, especially involving seven-graders outside their schools.”

She prided herself on the fact that their voluntary work has contributed to scaling down the rate of traffic accidents in Nablus , particularly involving school students.

Creative, Brilliant

Mohammad Al-Qabg, head of the education department in Nablus , said that after the Israeli forces destroyed all traffic lights they had to think of creative methods to handle the traffic crisis.

“This voluntary work promotes awareness among students and makes them more familiar with traffic regulations and laws. It also makes them more disciplined.”

Eman Al-Masry, the headmistress of a Nablus female school, agreed.

“Students who join such voluntary work have the highest score records in school.”

She also agreed with Hassan that their voluntary traffic work has largely contributed to bringing down traffic accidents, especially near schools.

Collective Punishment

Maha Zaydan, a civil engineer in Nablus municipality, said Israel ’s occupation forces have razed more than 65 traffic lights, each costing several thousand dollars, in the city.

Nablus Traffic Police Chief Jihad Ashtiwi described the Israeli measure as part of the notorious “collective punishment” policy.

“This had sent traffic accidents to record highs and left every citizen responsible for his own safety.”

Palestinian students usually bear the brunt of incessant Israeli aggressions.

Also the separation wall adds to the restrictions facing the Palestinian students who are forced to deftly climb the nine-meter-high concrete parts of the700 km-long wall, which snakes through the West Bank , in order to pass.

http://www.islam-online.net/English/News/2004-12/16/article05.shtml