'Anin, Barta'a-Reihan, Tayba-Rummana, Tura-Shaked

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Observers: 
Neta Golan, Shuli Bar. Translation: Bracha Ben-Avraham
Dec-17-2015
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Afternoon

 

15:00 A'anin Checkpoint

Four tractors are waiting with loads of plastic and metal junk for recycling. People receive 1.70 NIS for each kilogram of plastic or metal. Ambitious people such as our friend Mahmud collect old chairs, tables, cabinets, fencing, shopping carts and other junk from various places. Unlike before, the soldiers now let everyone cross without checking. Only a year ago Mahmud was forced to plead with soldiers to bring every broken plastic chair across to the village.  He has often lost the argument with the woman soldiers and was obliged to leave the junk scattered among the trees at the checkpoint.    

People are crossing quickly.  People kiss the tips of their fingers in a positive gesture to describe the soldiers as behaving nicely. The checkpoint is surrounded by lush vegetation and the air is clear after the recent rain. It is hard to believe that few people cross here – only those who have succeeded in obtaining a permit.

 

15:20 - Shaked – Tura Checkpoint (300)

The checkpoint is empty at this hour except for two cars crossing to the seamline zone.

 

Reihan – Barta'a Checkpoint 15:30

Young and old people gradually arrive and cross on the side of the terminal to the Palestinian parking lot without delay.  Others pause next to the biometer where their fingerprints are checked.  They are now identified. 

16:15: Tibeh – Romana Checkpoint (154)

The soldiers from the Border Patrol arrived late, so we managed to see residents of Tibeh and Romana returning home. People were gathered around a small campfire keeping warm until the soldiers arrived.  Here too people's documents were not checked and they crossed quickly.