Eyal Crossing, Irtah (Sha'ar Efrayim), Sun 30.1.11, Morning
Irtach
04:12
The first of the workers are already arriving on the Israeli side. About 100 workers waiting for transport (including women); the minibuses are already here.
04:15
The entrance to the crossing point, on the Palestinian side, is usually full of people at this hour, you can't even see the end of the waiting line, but not today. About 150 are waiting to pass, entering the turnstiles in groups of 20-25. The rain stops and starts, which is the reason for the small number of workers today. One of those present tells us that, on rainy days, the "proprietor" calls to tell them that "there is no need to arrive at work today." Despite the small number of people, and the quiet and well-organized entrance, even though there is no beeping of the magnometer, the guard at the checkpoint shouts every other minute "every get back, you too, yes, you, go to the back and pass through slowly, one by one!" Everyone obeys orders, goes back, cans of tuna by their side, take their shoes off again, and pass through again, one by one.
04:45
No line at all. People continue to arrive, bit by bit.
Eyal.
05:15
There are a lot of minibuses outside here, waiting for passengers, and also a lot of workers, despite the heavy rain. At this checkpoint it is not possible to see the Palestinian side, or whether or not there are problems. We waited for awhile outside. The rain became quite heavy, so we got into our car at 05:40