Since 2001 we have observed dozens of army checkpoints on paved and unpaved roads in the West Bank, the Jordan Valley and along the Separation Fence; Civil Administration offices which grant permits to Palestinians; and military courts trying Palestinian prisoners. We stand at the checkpoints observing the behavior of soldiers and Palestinians without interfering, intervening only when soldiers behave offensively to Palestinians. Then we try to speak to the soldiers themselves or telephone...

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By:

'Anin, Reihan, Mon 30.7.12, Morning

Date: 30/07/2012 ,Morning

Observers: eah R., Anan N"S

'Anin

`Anin Checkpoint is located on the separation fence, east of Mei Ami, between the village of `Anin in the West Bank and Um el-Fahm in Israel. Those who pass and return here are residents of `Anin, mostly to cultivate their lands which have been cut off from the village by the separation fence. The checkpoint opens two days a week, morning and afternoon, and daily during the olive harvest season. People go out from the village in the morning and must return the same afternoon. Anyone who does not return that same day has his permits confiscated, and until he gets the situation corrected he is prohibited from transit.

Close description

06:15- Farming checkpoint at A'aneen

Only a few go through, perhaps is has to do with Ramadan, or due to the heat.

People report that no one was sent back and inspection is as usual and passage is routinely. After searching their bags they are sent off. All together about 25 people had gone through.

At 06:30 the last of those waiting at the gate had crossed over and we leave.

06:45 The new Barta'a checkpoint

About seven pickup trucks wait on the burning hot road at this early morning hour and they still wait there after we leave, an hour later.

Here too the checkpoint is desolated, only a few cross over and even less return.

Drivers appear bored, they are hot and wait is their cars (for what? For whom?).

We were told that the Seamstresses had crossed the gate earlier this morning, on their way to work at Barta'a.

One of the drivers tell us that he hosts in his home, his expanded family from Jordan, the house is noisy and he is happy. He is originally from the Bedouin village of Amricha a few years ago he dared to add two floors to his house that were demolished by the IDF claiming that he didn't own the land. He later moved to ya'abed where he was permitted to build his new home.

8:00 – We leave, giving a ride to a sick person to the hospital.