Tura-Shaked, Ya'bed-Dotan
06:25 – A'anin Checkpoint
Representatives of the occupation are at the checkpoint, the gates
are open, and about 15 people and four tractors are crossing. One soldier is convinced that a special permit is needed to cross with a tractor. There is no such need. A father and son are detained until this is clarified. Evidently the father, who has heart problems, is banned from crossing to the seamline zone, but he has an agricultural permit and always crosses with one of his sons. The soldiers clarify the matter and he is permitted to cross. The father says that the military policewoman is nice and always tries to help. This is good to hear, considering the present circumstances.
07:10 – Shaked – Tura Checkpoint
Today is a good day at the checkpoint: there is no electricity and no computer, so people do not have to enter the inspection booth. Everyone is checked quickly and lists are made by hand. The vehicle checkpoint is open. All the technological sophistication at this checkpoint is superfluous. Most of the people are going to work in the seamline zone, and only a few are crossing to the West Bank. The garbage container is completely full and the garbage from the IDF base is overflowing.
07:40 – Reihan – Barta'a Checkpoint
Driving by, we see that few people are coming out of the terminal on the seamline zone side. By this time most workers and merchants have already left. The road to Yaabed is blocked by a yellow steel gate, and an army jeep and soldiers are stationed there as usual. The Zibda Bridge is locked, and a lot of cars are parked to the south of it and some on the other side of the road which is blocked with a steel gate.
Yaabed – Dotan Checkpoint
The checkpoint is not manned and traffic is flowing freely in both directions.
08:00 –Reihan – Barta'a Checkpoint
When we returned the Palestinian parking lot and the parking places on the side of the road were completely filled. Not many people were arriving at this hour.
We drove back through East and West Barta'a. Most of the stores are still closed. The regional council has planted gardens in the three traffic circles, which are all in flower, looking attractive.
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