'Anabta, Deir Sharaf, Irtah (Sha'ar Efrayim), Tue 13.10.09, Afternoon

Barrels checkpoint 

14:45 – Vehicles pass without inspection. 

Anabta checkpoint 

15:00 – The cars pass without inspection. 

Irtah 

15:40 – As we arrive, we see buses putting down women at the checkpoint and we anticipate the chaos that will follow. And indeed, there is a long line both outside and inside. We go straight away to the guard at the entrance who tells us that two posts are open. We tell him that the line is huge and that he should report about it to the people in charge. He promises to do it, but 15 minutes later we see no change and we call the IDF Humanitarian Center, where they refer us to the DCO [District Coordination Office of the IDF Civil Administration that handles passage permits]. 

Here, too, they promise to look into the matter. Fifteen minutes later we return to the DCO and find out that the person sitting there has no idea what we are talking about. He starts asking questions and wants to know where Irtah is, the number of the gate etc. we realize that we can expect no help from this man and we go back to the guard at the entrance. This time the security officer is there and he promises to take care of the matter. Within a short time, there are additional posts and the line is getting shorter fast. 

Huge lines in the afternoon hours are a repeated sight, especially when buses arrive bringing women who return after visiting prisoners.