'Azzun 'Atma, Falamiya, Habla, Wed 3.7.13, Morning
Translator: Charles K.
Azzun Atma
06:00 Many people wait for transportation outside the checkpoint. We asked where they were from; they said that some cross through another agricultural gate west of the main crossing which opens earlier and where inspection is faster. About 50 people on line; more keep joining it.
The night-shift workers from the Hanson factory have to wait at the entrance and go through the magnemometer.
A man sits on the side of the checkpoint. We asked him why. It turned out he was in Israelillegally; he’s being made to wait three hours (after they took his ID and his cigarettes). Two more people have been detained. Another came, insisting that he had been walking along the road and a military jeep decided that he was in Israelillegally, picked him up and brought him to the checkpoint. Soldiers at the checkpoint didn’t let us speak to soldiers who were willing to talk, “because it endangers security.”
Habla
07:10 No line today because the computer is down and inspections are conducted manually at the exit.
Falamya
08:00 A horse cart with three laborers arrives at the agricultural gate, they enter for inspection, the horse and cart are inspected as well as the cart’s load. A man arrives on a donkey, goes for inspection and enters with the donkey. A tractor and cart arrive, the driver is inspected and enters with the vehicle.
On our way we stopped in Jayyous and Azzun to leave goods at the secondhand shops.