'Anin, Barta'a-Reihan, Tura-Shaked, Sun 20.10.13, Afternoon
15:00 – Shaked – Tura Checkpoint
A family is harvesting olives in the nearby olive grove. It is very quiet and no one is coming or going. The garbage container is full and open and garbage is scattered around. We shout to one of the soldiers, who answers that the smell is bothering him as well and he will call and ask for it to be taken care of.
A car drops a man off who walks through the fields to the lone house. A Subaru arrives with a man and boy, and the boy waits in the car while his father goes to be checked. An army jeep arrives and drops a soldier off. Again there is quiet and no traffic. We left at 15:15.
15:20 – Reihan – Barta'a Checkpoint
Many workers, including the seamstresses, are returning from work. We shake people's hands and greet everyone. People are crossing through quickly. There is no crowding in front of the turnstile, where people go in groups of five or ten at a time. Only people who live in Barta'a must have their papers checked. The rest pass through without being detained. A few people are crossing from the West Bank to the seamline zone. We left at 16:00.
16:10 – A'anin Agricultural Checkpoint
During the olive harvest this checkpoint is open every day, morning and afternoon. About ten people are waiting at the gate, complaining about the checkpoint's opening late in the morning. It is due to open at 07:00 Israeli time. According to Palestinian time it is 06:00 but people work according to Israeli time. We call the Liaison and Coordination Administration and are answered after several tries. The person who answers fails to see the problem regarding the time difference. What difference does an hour make?
We left at 16:40.