Eyal Crossing, 'Anabta, Deir Sharaf, Irtah (Sha'ar Efrayim), Tue 7.7.09, Afternoon
Translator: Charles K.
Barrels
Soldiers seated on both sides of the checkpoint, cars go through without inspection.
The new Anabta checkpoint
There was a long line of cars at the checkpoint when we arrived. When we came closer we saw the new, modern checkpoint in action. The soldier sits in the closed booth and communicates via a microphone with those going through. Cars are inspected randomly. A minibus is stopped, and the passengers wait off to the side. The soldier didn’t let us come near the checkpoint, saying it wasn’t a checkpoint for people to go through on foot, and even suggested we get on a bus that was waiting on line.
Irtach
No problems; the flow of people going through continues without interference.
Eyal
A long line at the checkpoint. It turned out that, according to those working there, it was closed because of security issues. They promised it would reopen in 10 minutes, but it took nearly half an hour. Meanwhile, a huge line formed. After it reopened one of the people volunteered to organize things and insure that they go through one by one and traffic flowed. Terrible crowing ensued when he stopped supervising, and the entrance was blocked, until once again they got organized and people went through in turn. After about twenty minutes the line had shortened significantly.
Workers we talked to at the checkpoint told us they arrive at 3 AM in order to get a place on line. Someone suggested that there are no delays in the morning because they want the workers to get to their jobs on time. They’re permitted to bring 4-5 pitas and one bottle of drink; they’re not allowed to bring in solids like sugar nor for the water in the bottle to be frozen.