ברטעה-ריחן, טורה-שקד
The North 7.11.2015
Ruchela H. (photographer), Noa L. (reporting)
Tura-Shaked, 07:25 – 08:00
There is a long line in front of the turnstile on the side of Tura (West Bank), lust as there was two weeks ago. The passage is very slow, “one person passes every 15 minutes,” the people say. A family with two small children waited from six in the morning until seven thirty. By the time we left, the line did not get any shorter. The cars from the West Bank side also pass slowly, but those who arrive from the seam line pass quickly. There is a lot of vehicular traffic today from both directions. Soldiers approach a car with Israeli license plates waiting on the seam line side (obviously to transport those who arrive from the West Bank). The result: the car leaves without the passengers who are supposed to be in it. What is the purpose of this action? It is not clear.
A man coming from the West Bank tells us that part of the delay in passing stems from the arguments and disputes among those waiting, about their position in the line. It all goes so slowly that the significance of every position in line means a minimum of 15 minutes of lost time.
Despite the long delays, the removal of transportation and the routine at the checkpoint in general, those passing and returning are polite and pleasant to us, as usual. A bulldozer-tractor is parked next to the checkpoint. It is safe to assume that it is there for repairing the roads next to the fence.
Barta’a-Reihan 08:00 – 08:50
The parking lots are filled but the traffic, which passes in both directions, is thinner than usual. What is happening today? Maybe everyone had already passed through quickly? Indeed, one of those passing says that today the passage was fast, only a few minutes. We also timed the passage at 8 minutes (that was the same as the number of people). Only one window is open, but it doesn’t look like anyone is waiting in front of it.
Eight minutes to the passage within the building; if we add to this the time for walking/traveling to the checkpoint and leaving it, waiting for the taxi to Barta’a; this is how we quietly lose weekly hours - - the Occupation at its best.