'Anabta, Irtah (Sha'ar Efrayim), Jubara (Kafriat), Wed 27.1.10, Morning

Translation: Galia S.
 

Irtah

05:00 – It's extremely cold but, fortunately, it isn't raining, as there is no shelter for the workers standing in the line, which is very long and stretches as far as the eye can see. (Later we learn from one of the security men that every day as many as 4000 to 5000 workers get here). Three turnstiles are open at the moment and the passage is moving relatively quickly. Announcements over the loudspeaker tell the people to open their jackets and enter one by one through the inner turnstile. It also tells them when to stop entering. The turnstile doesn't stop automatically.

There are some structural changes here: Half of the parking lot has been fenced for the benefit of the company in charge of the checking. Only few cars can be seen in the parking lot now. In response to our question, the security man says that classes will be held there later. Parking for the transportation of thousands of workers equals the area allotted for a few dozen students.

The line is still long after a long break taken in handling the passage of workers. We move to the exit, where the workers tell us that most of them are checked in the rooms, which takes a long time – an hour and a half, according to them – and as a result, some miss their transportation. Looking at us they say, "A lot of writing but nothing comes out of it".

06:40 –  there is no longer a line at the entrance, but many workers are still inside.

 Women turn to us with some complaints: having to cross the turnstiles together with many men rubbing against them, and then being checked by men who touch their bodies, makes them uncomfortable.

Jubara 

07:00 – Reservists open the gate for us without any problems. Not much happens at the Schoolchildren's Gate – school vacation.

 Anabta 

Completely empty.