'Anin, Reihan, Shaked, Mon 29.11.10, Afternoon
14:50 - 16:30
Translated by Yael S
14:50 - 15:15 A'anin checkpoint
The gate opens, 3 tractors and 14 workers returning home crossing over swiftly.
For a month now we are approaches by 2 residents of A'aneen whose few olive trees are located between the two fences down the hill by the checkpoint. All their calls to the DCO to permit olive picking remained unanswered. We too tried calling on their behalf and were always told that "they all received permits" . To this day they haven't received permission to pick olives in that area. We realized that such permit depends on special arrangement with the military who is to supervise the olive picking.
15:10 - 15:25 Shaked checkpoint
The chekpoint was quiet a few pedestrians as well as vehicles cross over on both sides and passage/inspection is swift. one tells us that "This week the soldiers are ok." Even the herd of sheep go through the chekpoint in an examplary fashion.
15:30 - 16:3- Rihan checkpoint
2 cars come out of inspection collectiong its passangers who have been waiting. At the vehicles' inspection post for cars going into the West bank inspection today is meticulously.
Workers loaded with with fruits arrive running to get into line to the terminal. 5 students returning from the Jenin university tell us that they had just waited quite sometime at the checkpoint, without any special inspection "we've just stood there, waiting". According tp them this happens at times in the morning causing them top be late to class.
15:40- Workers continue to arrive at the terminal, only one window is operational yet passage is relatively - 7 minutes quick. As people begin to crowed by the carousel, at 16:08 another window opens and pace of passage increases.
There are notes on the fence reading that on Wednesday the checkpoint would close earlier "due to the festival of lights, thanks you and happy holiday" .