'Anin, Reihan, Shaked, Mon 19.9.11, Morning

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Observers: 
Leah R., Hassida S., (Reporting)
Sep-19-2011
|
Morning

 

Translation: Bracha B.A.

A'anin Checkpoint, 06:20
We were greeted at the junction by smiling Palestinians.  We did not stay because we wanted to get to the gate at A'anin before it closed, but we hurried for no reason.  When we got there a large number of Palestinians were still waiting by the far gate to cross.  An elderly woman crossed, smiling happily, and showed us a permit that she had received from mid-February until the end of December.  She is the only one in her family who received a permit.  There is still hope that others will receive permits for the olive harvest.  However, others have not received permits and often only one family member receives a permit while the older sons (who need to work in the harvest) receive none.  Despite this, there is a happy atmosphere.  Hopefully there will be happy times in Palestine and Israel.

Shaked-Tura Checkpoint – 07:08 – 07:50
The checkpoint is open and operating.  The routine is as usual: the two elegant bankers have crossed, the small children have crossed on their way to school, and vehicles have passed through.  I approached the soldier at the gate to ask whether they had heard about the rumor that the opening hour would be moved to 06:00 without changing the closing hour, and he answered that they had not.

Reihan – Barta'a Checkpoint, 08:00
The Palestinian parking lot is already filled with private vehicles. A driver wearing a red Kaffiyeh lies fast asleep on the bed in the corner of the prayer section under the shed.  A few drivers asked us to bring used clothing for children.  Everything is routine and people enter the terminal as usual.  A., our friend, is absent.  He is either retired or driving a truck: we are not sure which and there are rumors of both.   Six cars and one commercial vehicle are waiting to have their papers checked in front of the inspection facility. 

We drove to the Dotan Checkpoint to meet B, who has bottles of olive oil that we ordered.  We stopped by some olive trees on the way and didn't see any fruit.  B. says that the smoke from the charcoal factories is damaging the trees and the yield.  Contrary to my report of last week, the charcoal factories are still working, except for the one on the way to Hermesh.  Near the factory adjacent to Emricha there are piles of wood to be used as raw materials.