Barta'a-Reihan, Tura-Shaked

Share:
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Email
Observers: 
Yocheved G., Vera M. (reporting); Translator: Charles K.
Oct-1-2014
|
Afternoon

 

15:15  Tura-Shaked checkpoint

There’s little noise from people or other sources at the checkpoint.  It’s relatively clean, the waste bin has been emptied, nothing on the benches beneath the canopy.

Three young women and their four children wait for a ride to the village.  There’s no school the day before the holiday.  They welcome us; Yocheved converses with them.  They’re sad, resigned; our hearts are filled with frustration.  How long will this continue?

A few people cross slowly in each direction.

We leave.

 

15:45  Barta’a-Reihan checkpoint

People were crossing slowly when we arrived, most of them men returning from work.

A minibus driver waits to transport people to the villages, eager to speak to us, to complain the checkpoint will close earlier, at 21:00 rather than 22:00.  That will make it much harder for people.  He thinks it will be only during the holidays.  We wonder.  Could the holidays be only an excuse for a broader change in the hours the checkpoint is open?!

It’s important to find out from the DCL whether there are plans to change the schedule.

The flow of returning workers increases, varies according to the number and type of arriving vehicles.  Many young men, not only students.  People bring holiday parcels, sweets and fruit.  They hurry home after waking before dawn to reach jobs in Israel.  Everyone’s pleased to see us.

As usual recently, only one inspection station is operating, which displeases the people who are so tired from being harassed at the checkpoints.  Whenever more than ten people are crossing there’s congestion and unnecessary delay.  When things are bad, even 15 minutes are an eternity.

We should find out why both existing booths aren’t operating.

We start back.  The kiosk on the Israeli side is open, continues selling and making money.  That’s what happens when people are thirsty, hungry, tired and not paying attention.

A young man asks for our help at the entrance to the fenced corridor:  He has a permit, but isn’t being allowed through.  He’s being sent back and forth between the checkpoint and Salam.  We gave him Neta’s phone number; perhaps she’ll be able to find out what’s going on, why the refusal.

 

17:00  We leave.