Eyal and Irtah/Sha'ar Efrayim 09.02.2011 morning

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Observers: 
Ofira A., Michal B., (reporting)
Feb-9-2011
|
Morning

 

Translation:  Suzanne O.

 

Eyal Crossing

4:15 a.m. 

There are about 20 people outside; the pace of the exits is slow.

 

4:20 a.m.

The exit turnstile is locked, when we asked about it we were told that it would open up again immediately, after an additional 10 minutes shouts were heard from inside, we again called up via the intercom and were not answered.

We went to observe the entrance to the building on the eastern side.  There was almost no queue, people moving along easily.

We stood there for almost 10 minutes, during which time some 80 people entered.

A representative of the management appeared and requested, politely, that we leave the area – back to the entrance – when we questioned the hold up he replied that there had been a security problem, when we said that the exit was barred to those who had already been inspected, he took as a petty attack on this particular building.

We would indeed have preferred that the whole occupation would end so that we would no longer have to be petty!

 

4:45 a.m.

The exit pace speeds up; the turnstile works continuously.

 

Irtah/Sha'ar Efrayim

5:15 a.m. 

Hundreds are organised into rows for the silent morning prayers.

 

As soon as the prayers end the whole area fills up, crowded, people drinking coffee, eating, waiting for transport.

By the side of the exit the turnstile turns unceasingly, it is difficult to see how many positions are open because the entrance is full of people.  The pace of the exit is much faster than at Ayal (it is also later).

 

5:40 a.m.

At the eastern entrance to the building there is no queue.  Whoever arrives goes in.

We spoke to quite a few people – they say that the situation in the rooms has improved greatly over the last two weeks, as we understood from the reports of Rachel A.  This is a result of the strike and we wanted to understand the dynamics that led to the strike.

From what we learned: on a Sunday, at the end of December, a few people got together and locked the entrance to the crossing from their side and declared that no one could cross that day – in protest at the hold ups in the rooms.  All the labourers obeyed.  Some returned to their homes, some contacted their friends and told them not to come at all.  Some of them sat there until 10:00 a.m.

The management tried to persuade them to cross and then to talk but they were unwilling.  On that day, according to them, not one person crossed to work at this crossing.

It took some time for the improvement but for the last two weeks things have changed considerably.

Others complained about the x-ray they are forced to undergo daily.  Someone said that he feels very ill after each inspection and doubts that they question/complain about/call for help about the damage it causes.

We said that it is being checked out by the 'doctors for human rights' organisation.

 

Does anyone know if any results are known?