Tura-Shaked
15:00 Shaked-Tura checkpoint
The waste container has finally been removed but its vicinity remains filthy. The "Fabric of Life" checkpoint operates as expected.
People return from the West Bank with bags of groceries. Vehicles as well as pedestrians cross on both sides.
An herd of sheep returns home.
15:40 Rihan-Barta'a checkpoint
We met A.; he is denied entry into Israel and complains of difficulties in finding a non-professional job within the West Bank. His son studies engineering at the (expensive) El-Najach University. He is willing to take a chance and take a cleaning job in Israel.
At the car park people sell a variety of fresh baked goods from their cars.
Dozens of workers hurry down the sleeve
and cross over without delays to the West Bank. Those working in Israel complain, as usual, about the slow passage in the morning at the Yirtach-Sha'ar Ephraim checkpoint. According to them over 5000 people go through and only 5-6 windows out of the 16 are open. The process is vey stressful and take more than an hour.
In the opposite direction, women with baskets and men holding their belts get out of the terminal into the Seam Line zone – their passage is quiet and well organized.