Tura-Shaked

Tura Checkpoint, 07:00

The soldiers arrived in some sort of a military vehicle, rather than on foot as usual, and opened the gates of the checkpoint.   Everyone waiting on the West Bank side moved towards the turnstile, but they were still far away.  The inspections began and we saw from far away what was later verified by people who came out. The computer was not working and inspections were being carried out outside, manually.  By 07:10 people began to pass through quickly and there were also people crossing to the West Bank from the seamline zone, including the school principal, several women, and several students. The elementary schoolchildren and the kindergartners were not here because of a teachers' strike, due to the fact that they haven't been paid their salaries. When we passed by the school at Um-a-Reihan on our way back we also saw that the school was empty except for a few cars. Someone told us about a relative who had not received a permit, a person who was refused entry into Israel, who did not know why. Ruthi will call him to give him Sylvia's number and others whom he can call.

We did not drive to Dotan Checkpoint since we were told that Ali and his mother were already waiting for us at Reihan.  When we drive a sick child so often and hope for him to recuperate, it is painful to see that his condition has worsened.

While Ruthi took Ali and his mother up to the short inspection, I went to talk to the workers walking through the sleeve.  We were told that "everything is going very well."  Things have become routine. Crossing is going smoothly and whoever has work on this side of the checkpoint is satisfied.  One person told me about a relative who worked in Israel and is now suffering from severe pains in his legs.  He has not succeeded in getting proper treatment in the West Bank.  I referred him to Yuval Roth, who can help him receive treatment in Israel.