'Anin, Reihan, Shaked, Mon 21.11.11, Morning

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Observers: 
Leah R., Anna N.S.
Nov-21-2011
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Morning

Translation: Bracha B.A.

06:15 A'anin Agricultural Checkpoint

The olive harvest is still in progress.  Dozens of workers have already crossed through the far gate.  Perhaps it is coincidence that they have no bags.

Ripe persimmons are scattered on the ground between the fences.  The person who brought them was not allowed to bring them through the checkpoint.  Evidently persimmons and bags of children's clothing constitute danger to the security of the State of Israel and the IDF, the guardians, are not taking any chances.  We collected as much of the fruit as we could and gave it to passers-by. 

At 07:10 the yellow van came to take the Bedouin children to school in Um-A Reihan. We left while there were still a few people at the checkpoint and the soldiers will close it after the last person has gone through.

07:15 – Shaked-Tura Checkpoint

Most of the people are going from the West Bank towards the seamline zone.  The children from the "lone house" pass through on a horse-drawn wagon on their way to school.   Students and mothers with young children cross through to the West Bank and have to wade in the mud that has accumulated by the stone wall.  Another barbed wire fence and gate have been added in the direction of the West Bank.  From here it is difficult to see what their purpose is. The occupation runs like a well-oiled machine. As they say, everything is OK.

07:40 – Reihan Barta'a Checkpoint

A lot of workers arrive, on their way to work in Barta'a.  Bored drivers are waiting for a job to do. Several people were not allowed to go through to Barta'a and were sent back.  A man with belts for sale in Barta'a is sent back, puts them down somewhere, and goes back to the terminal.   Another man arrives with a container of olive oil for his restaurant in Barta'a, but according to the authorities it is a wholesale quantity and he is not allowed to bring it.  Now he has to go to Salem and get a permit to bring it through – wasting the entire work day as well as money that will not be returned.   A doctor with a bag of medicines who has a permit is sent back.  A man with pocketbooks that he could not sell wants to return them to the store in Barta'a is also sent back, but after S.'s intervention they are both allowed through.   
6 vans are waiting on the road to be checked.

We left at 08:30.