'Anin, Reihan, Shaked, Mon 14.2.11, Afternoon
15:00- 15:30 Aanin
Gates are open, people wait and soldiers are still delayed. A few minutes later a female soldier gets out of the Hammer holding a computer and passage begins.
From one visit to another it appears that there are less and less people crossing over, that is those with agriculture passage permits.
This time 4 tractors and 5 pedestrians had gone through.
The loads on the tractors are inspected by touch and by eyes.
All went through. This time we haven't noticed opening of coats or removal of belts, as well as no mirrors under the tractor.
15:40 - 16:00 Shaked-Tura checkpoint
Life fabric checkpoint: Vehicles and pedestrians cross over on both sides. Drivers and passengers enter the inspection area.
No special occurrence took place, life routine in the shadow of the checkpoint.
All got used to that, Not us.
16:10 - 17:00 Rihan-Barta'a checkpoint
We did not walk down to the lower checkpoint. We went down the fenced way to the Northern opening of the terminal. Here people return from work. When we arrived there were two windows open and still very few crossing over. Slowly the number of workers returning home had increased and this is when one window was shot close, but a few minutes later re-opened and two were operational. As the stream of people grew higher and it got busier, again one window was closed and a while later both windows were opened. The reason was unclear to us. Returning worker seems to come in waves, pressure alternates from high to low.
Our assumption is that about 200 people went through during our shift.
We head people saying that there is a massive building in the settlements in the area.
On the other side of the checkpoint, in the direction from the West Bank into the Seam Line zone those who went through were residents of East Barta'a' women and children with shopping begs returning from family visits or shopping in Jenin.
The weather is cold. All appears as usual.