Barta'a-Reihan, Tura-Shaked

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Observers: 
Lea Reichman, Ruthie Kovatz, Translation: Shelly K.
Mar-18-2014
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Morning

05:35 Barta`a Riehan Checkpoint

A steady flow of people who work in the seamline zone exit the checkpoint. Most said that the situation was "OK" this morning. According to some, passage took about half an hour since there were many people in the terminal.

A man approached Lea. His brother was refused a pass and he wonders why. Lea gave him Tammy’s phone number from the team that assists those who are refused passes to investigate why.

Another person was delayed at the terminal near the clerks since they delayed his son. Yet another approached us asking us to investigate why he has been refused a pass for a week. Lea called the Liason & Coordination Administration but did not get an answer. She gave him Tammy’s phone number as well.

 

07:00  We left.

 

07:05 Tura Shaked Checkpoint

It’s quiet. No activity. Schoolchildren pass us and smile; we give them sweets.

 

07:30 Returning to Barta`a Riehan

We pick up Ali and his mother for treatment at Rambam Hospital, Haifa. We arrived at Rambam at around 9:00

 

Personal Observation:

Since this is the first time that I joined the shift as a member of Machsom Watch I would like to add a few words:

1.    For the first time I witnessed how the checkpoints operate (although I learned that all are not the same). I got the impression that the Riehan Checkpoint operated today with no unusual problems. I was impressed with the warmth and friendliness of the Palestinians toward us. Most greeted us with a smile and Shalom.  There were some whose faces lit up when they saw us. Someone approached me, shook my hand and noticed that I was “new.”

2.     The children who passed through the Tura/Shaked Checkpoint were sweet and happy.

3.    It is not easy to witness the series of checks and delays that people must go through on their way to work.

4.    Transporting the palestinian boy Ali to the hospital in Haifa was for me a moving experience. The child is very ill. Hardly walks. And this transport (for some years by now) allows him to get to the Israeli hospital regularly.