Barta'a-Reihan, Tura-Shaked, Ya'bed-Dotan

15:00 Tura – Shaked Checkpoint

This Wednesday there is more pedestrian and vehicle traffic than on other Wednesday afternoons.  Cars and army jeeps enter and leave.  People are waiting for rides to the villages in the seamline zone. 

Three family members who want to visit a sick relative in Um-a-Reihan are waiting for a ride. They have to return before the checkpoint closes, because they do not have a permit to stay overnight, but they cannot leave because their relative who is supposed to drive them can only come through Tibeh.  It is already 15:30 and he has not arrived, and they must be back by 17:00.

15:45 – Yaabed – Dotan Checkpoint

Here, too, there is a lot of traffic of cars, trucks, and army jeeps. Soldiers in the jeep at the side of the road and in the pillbox are not stopping cars, and traffic is moving smoothly.  A soldier questions us, as usual.

16:15 – Reihan – Barta'a Checkpoint

On the way we pass the crowded parking lot where cars are parked almost one on top of the other. We wonder how they maneuver to exit and enter the parking lot. Cars are also parked bumper to bumper along the road.  People are hurrying home at the entrance and in the sleeve, and a few people are entering the seamline zone.  All the inspection points are operating and there is no delay.

A mother and her three daughters are hurrying home, but wait until there are no men in the turnstile so they will be able to pass through.

People crossing report that it is very difficult and extremely crowded at Irtah in the morning. Others report that lately there have been no problems at Jalameh. 

A., whom we have met before, reports that the turnstile still hurts people's legs because the bottom rung is too close to the ground.  He asks us to request that the bottom rung of the turnstile be removed. 

M. tells us that he has asked for a permit to work in Israel, but found that he was blacklisted by the security forces and he does not know why.  He asked us to help and we gave him the relevant phone numbers and we hope someone can help.