Eyal Crossing, Irtah (Sha'ar Efrayim), Thu 17.9.09, Afternoon

Share:
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Email
Observers: 
Etika, Elinor (a new young observer), Shoshi B., (Reporting)
Sep-17-2009
|
Afternoon

Translation: Bracha B.A.

Irtah Checkpoint - 3:50

We arrived at Irtah Checkpoint.  At the exit from Tulkarem there were three men who claimed they had been waiting for an hour for the gate to open so they could enter Israel.

We crossed over to the other side and began to converse with an unseen voice by shouting across the space.  An argument took place about the length of time  people had to wait to enter.  After 10 minutes we saw people coming out.

There is heavy traffic of workers but people continue moving without problems.  All of them complain that the main problem is in the morning, when they must wait for hours.  Before we continued to Eyal we passed through the entrance gate again and the scene repeated itself.  People were waiting helplessly for someone to pay attention to them.  Suddenly a woman’s voice sounded over the loudspeaker in Hebrew:” The office is closed now, go home.”| The people turned to us and explained: “But we have to go through the checkpoint, not go to the office.”  We told them to tell that to the invisible voice, which could obviously hear.  One of the people showed his permit through the fence and shouted: “I have permission to go through.”

The voice answered: “All right,” and the gate opened.

14:50 Eyal Checkpoint

Many people passing through but moving quickly within five minutes.

15:15 – Tzufim Checkpoint
No events were observed.

We passed through the Eliyahu Crossing through the special lane and returned to Tel Aviv.