Mevo Dotan (Imriha), Reihan, Shaked, Sun 22.5.11, Morning

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Observers: 
Yochi A., Ruthi T., (Reporting)
May-22-2011
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Morning

 Translation: Bracha B.A.

 Shaked-Tura Checkpoint

The gate is already open. Two groups of soldiers are walking up to the checkpoint. The banker arrives with two students and the school principal arrives with three. Abbas from the Liaison and Coordination Administration is in the area. The flock of goats is also there, but the inspection room is closed. Everyone is waiting for it to open. Meanwhile schoolchildren arrive in the white Transit and the soldiers receive them.

The first person going to the seamline zone comes out at 07:20. The computer is not working and every day things are a mess. "Yesterday we only got out at 08:00. Why don't they open the checkpoint at 06:00?" On the other side teachers are talking with the soldiers and finally go through. At 07:40, after Abbas intervenes, everyone goes through and the checkpoint is empty.

08:00 Mavo Dotan Checkpoint

The reservists manning the checkpoint tell us to take care of ourselves because even though they are in charge of security in the area they are not directly responsible for our security. They stop cars and peek inside and quickly let them continue on their way. There has been a pillbox erected and a concrete U-shaped structure for a guard post similar to the one at Tura.

08:30 – Reihan-Barta'a Checkpoint

On the way to Reihan we pass six pickup trucks with goods waiting on the road and seven cars waiting in front of the first inspection point. The parking lot is full. Seven cars drive out of the inspection point at 08:15. After 4 minutes some of the cars are sent back to the parking lot because of the lack of space, according to one of the guards. We hear loud voices coming from the terminal, from the direction of the seamline zone, giving people instructions.

A., a graduate student studying law at Bir Zeit, says that yesterday (Saturday) he was detained at the checkpoint for 3 hours, and consequently missed an important test. He then received a summons to report at the checkpoint on Sunday at 9:00. The guard tells him to wait meanwhile. "How long is "meanwhile"? "I ask. "Don't worry, no more than 3 hours," replies the guard. A. will report on what happened to him later.

At 9:00 six cars emerge from the inspection facility and are followed by several pickup trucks.

At 9:25 4 more cars drive out towards the seam zone and we left.