Barta'a-Reihan, Tura-Shaked

Shaked – Tura 07:20 – 07:50

Many workers are crossing at this hour.  Groups of people who have already crossed are waiting under the shelter for rides or for friends who have not crossed yet.  Others leave and go on their way. The last of the people waiting in front of the turnstile enter to be checked.   Only a few people cross quickly to the West Bank.

A woman soldier comes up to us and tells us to move back about five meters.  We continue to stand in our usual place at the exit to the sleeve without getting in anyone's way.  A heated discussion begins, but we don't move and continue in our routine.  Someone remarks about this soldier's frequent rude behavior. At least the checkpoint opened on time and there was no delay.  When we left there were only a few people crossing without delay.   

It appears that a lot of the signs and flags were moved north of the terminal, expanding the area of the checkpoint and moving it further north towards the Green Line. The objective of this might be to move the Palestinian coffee vendor further away from the kiosk belonging to the settlers, so that they will not lose customers.  Even on Saturdays when the kiosk is closed the coffee vendor is forced to stand far away.  This has nothing to do with security.  It is not only a demonstration of power, but also effectively takes the Palestinian's livelihood away. 

Here, too, many people are crossing at this hour.  People are coming out of the terminal and waiting for taxis.  Two inspection windows are open and people are crossing quickly.  It took about 7 minutes for people to come out. 

A family wearing holiday clothes crosses from the seamline zone to the West Bank.  Evidently there is a celebration somewhere.  They cross quickly.

It is very hot.  Today there is cold water in the drinking fountain.