Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., April 07, 2008 Nisan 2, 5768 | | Israel Time: 14:32 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Last update - 17:57 06/04/2008 IDF checkpoints force Palestinian rally drivers to race indoors By Reuters Tags: israel, palestinians  Palestinian rally drivers, unable to fully show their skills on open roads because of Israel Defense Forces roadblocks, sought to promote motor sports in the West Bank by staging indoor races. "It's hard to drive fast around the West Bank," said Jamal Tofaha on Sunday, revving his engine before the start of indoor speed tests for modified street cars near the city of Hebron. A 3,000-strong crowd cheered 38 rally drivers from around the West Bank at a makeshift racing circuit in a converted hangar filled with smoke from screeching tires. Advertisement "We are here to challenge the occupation and to advertise a sport which requires lots of open space," said Tofaha, who won the 2006 Palestinian rally held within the city limits of Jericho. Israel has built hundreds of checkpoints and roadblocks in the West Bank, home to 2.5 million Palestinians in an attempt to prevent suicide bombers from reaching its cities. Palestinians call the travel restrictions collective punishment. A Palestinian telecommunications company sponsored the Hebron event, deciding to hold races in different West Bank cities rather than try to chart a course across the checkpoint-filled territory. "This is a new way to challenge (IDF) closures," said Medhat Hana, head of the organizing committee. "We can't hold rallies, so we are holding speed tests," he said. Sonia Awida, a female driver from Jerusalem, said she hoped the sport would gain appeal locally and that she could represent Palestinians in international races. "Our resources are low, but my dream is to raise the Palestinian flag (in a race) somewhere outside Palestine," she said. Related articles: IDF completes removal of 50 roadblocks across the W. Bank Barak: West Bank roadblocks are effective, will remain in place IDF experts suggest 'surprise' roadblocks in place of checkpoints Watchdog group: Only two W. Bank roadblocks lifted recently Bookmark to del.icio.us   My gay family Caryn Aviv shares her personal experience as a gay Jewish co-parent. Battle scarred Second Lebanon War film shows one officer's choice to keep his troops safe.   1.   Collective punishment 17:17  |  alan 06/04/08   2.   Palestinian Nascar 17:27  |  Aphemia 06/04/08   3.   #1 alan 17:45  |  Hasan 06/04/08   4.   hey hasan 19:54  |  vik 06/04/08   5.   Hey vik 21:28  |  Ramzi, a Palestinian 06/04/08   6.   Precious little data Haaretz 22:02  |  MaryRose 06/04/08   7.   response 22:26  |  vik 06/04/08   8.   Ramzi, a Palestinian - For your information, there are no 23:08  |  BF 06/04/08   9.   poor palis 00:25  |  fares 07/04/08   10.   Poor rally drivers!!!!! 03:05  |  Dr. Jack 07/04/08   11.   I can see it now.... 03:34  |  Doron 07/04/08   12.   yes indeed 04:23  |  sam 07/04/08   13.   hebron race 14:29  |  nash 07/04/08

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