'Anin, Mevo Dotan (Imriha), Reihan, Shaked, Mon 11.4.11, Afternoon

Share:
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Email
Observers: 
Yoheved G., Neta G. (Reporting)
Apr-11-2011
|
Afternoon

Translation: Bracha B.

14:50 – A'anin Checkpoint

The soldiers are already in position and are busy opening the gatesinfo-icon and booting up the computer.

At 15:00 people began to cross.  Only six men, one woman, and a tractor cross over.  One man told us that his son was not allowed to cross in the morning because his picture did not come up in the computer.  Tomorrow he will go to the Liaison and Coordination Administration at Salem to find out what happened.

15:35 – Shaked-Tura Checkpoint

The checkpoint is quiet and empty and there is no traffic at this hour.

At 15:55 we passed Reihan-Barta'a Checkpoint.  Both the Palestinian parking lot and the auxiliary parking lot are completely full.  The gates to road 596 are locked as usual and cars are parked on the road beyond it.

16:10 Dotan Checkpoint

There is traffic in both directions, to and from Jenin.   All cars are being stopped – some for a few moments and others for a quick check.  A soldier asks where we are from.  

16:30 Reihan Barta'a Checkpoint

The doors to the vehicle inspection facility are open and we peek inside.  Four cars are being checked.  The female inspector looks underneath the vehicles using a mirror.  A security guard quickly closes the door so that we can't see. Workers coming back from their jobs in Israel are descending the sleeveinfo-icon to the terminal.  We go down with them.  Two windows are operating and even the small number of people coming towards the seamline zone - mostly students - are not delayed. 

One person tells us that it is difficult to get up early in the morning to go through Irtach.  He is a scaffold worker in Hadera with 20 years of experience and is very proud of his work.  Another person tells us about his problems being prevented from entering Israel for reasons he does not know.  He goes to work as a painter via a longer route and comes home only once a month.  He knows that he will be delayed in the terminal for half an hour before they check things and he is allowed to cross. 

At 17:05 we go back up the sleeve.  There are four women students and one man waiting for a ride.  They are Israeli Arabs from Ar’ara who are studying physiotherapy at the American University near Jenin.  They study in English and do not have to pass the psychometric exams.