Barta'a-Reihan, Ya'bed-Dotan

15:00 – Shaked – Tura Checkpoint

It is quiet and few people are crossing.  A teacher returns from work, a family, and several students cross the checkpoint.   The area around the checkpoint is still filthy.  It is an embarrassment to the IDF.  We left at 15:20.

An army jeep is parked in the olive grove opposite Yaabed facing the village. 

15:40 – Ya'abed Checkpoint

Here, too the area is littered.  The papers thrown on the ground are in Arabic, which means that people have thrown them out of their cars, but it is a military zone and should be cleaned up by the army.

 Lines of cars on both sides of the checkpoint are waiting to cross.  The soldier, who is in no hurry, signals two cars from each side.  He speaks with some of the drivers, and others cross without delay.   He asks one driver to pull over and open the trunk.  It appears that there is no method to the inspections, but there is a delay and drivers are irritated.  One of them honks his horn.

16:15 – Reihan – Barta'a Checkpoint 

The Palestinian parking lot is completely filled and there is no possibility of getting in.  There are a lot of cars parked along the road as well.  We descended the sleeve.  At this time of day many workers are returning from work, and a line forms next to the turnstile.   Only one inspection window is operating and the line grows by the minute. 

We call R., and he promises to do something about the long waiting line.  People complain about the crowded conditions in the morning, and ask that they be allowed to cross at 04:00. 

We left at 16:45.