Mon 29.10.07, Morning

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Anna NS, Netta G (reporting)
Oct-29-2007
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Morning

06:10 - 09:50

06:10 Aanin Checkpoint

Men striding down the road from the checkpoint to their lands. They tell us that thirty have already passed since the opening hour of 05:30, and seventy more are waiting.
The rate of transit is "reasonable." Today the soldiers are not collecting IDs and listing names. "Only" checking IDs and permits.
One man crossed with a tractor, and immediately returned: the tractor had broken down.
06:40 all have crossed. The gatesinfo-icon are still open, as is written on the notice above the gate: 05:30 - 07:00, 15:30 - 16:30.
06:50 one man arrives and passes.
06:55 the only woman who crossed this morning wants to return to Aanin because her son did not arrive to help with picking olives. The soldiers hold a serious discussion and let her through without waiting for the afternoon opening time (just this time."

07:10 Shaked (Tura) Checkpoint

The small army camp to the right of the road, as you approach Shaked Checkpoint, is empty of occupants. Apparently they have all transferred to the built up camp facing.
The young schoolchildren cross in groups, as the soldiers peek into their satchels. Children who arrive a little later, and pass as individuals, are treated to a more serious search.
Five cars wait to cross from the Seam Zone to the West Bank, while some 30 people wait beyond the fence. The schoolchildren have "priority" at the checkpoint.
07:15 the people waiting across the fence, on the Tura side, are called to pass. The inspection room is not functioning this morning. Five soldiers are checking while one stands guard. The transit is fast.
Older children arrive and also enjoy "priority." They cross after their IDs are checked.
07:40 no one waiting. One woman shows that one of her tires is low on air. She comes with us to East Bartaa, where she lives, and brings us to a puncture repair shop of her family. The tire is quickly and cheaply repaired and we travel on to Rihan Checkpoint.

08:15 Rihan (Bartaa) Checkpoint

The woman security guard at the vehicle checkpoint corrects us: "This is not Machsom Watch, this is Machsom Rihan." Very lively traffic in both directions. The Palestinian parking lot is particularly crowded. Many drivers waiting for little livelihood.
Three cars waiting at the upper vehicle checkpoint and four at the lower. Four others are being checked. Seven loaded pick up trucks are waiting in the parking lot, many trays of eggs in the hut. H. is cleaning the hut with the aid of his sophisticated wagon.
08:35 H., the elderly tailor aided by a crutch and going every day to his work in Bartaa, arrives. Anna and Leah have already tried to get for him the possibility of passing in a car, to save him the walk through the sleeveinfo-icon. Anna also tries today. Promises and orders do not pass down to the guards on the ground. After twenty minutes waiting for approval, which did not come, H. enters the terminal on foot. After half an hour he limps out, leaning on the crutch, and walks up the sleeve.
08:45 four pick ups are called into the plot next to the vehicle checkpoint. After 10 minutes inspection, three of them move into the cargo checking compound. The fourth, loaded with sheep, follows five minutes later.
09:00 four private cars are called for inspection. Small packages from the cars are also taken for inspection in the compound.
09:40 four more tenders called for inspection. The dog, whose absence we had earlier noted, joins the checkers. The earlier pick ups begin to emerge, after almost an hour of inspection, not including – of course the waiting time in the parking lot.
09:50 – we leave. Next to the vehicle checkpoint, we are approached by a security guard who says that, from tomorrow, H., the tailor leaning on a crutch, can cross in a car. We will follow up...
The election campaign for the local council is heating up. We saw posters of an additional candidate: "Educator, battalion commander, managing director." So nice that there is emphasis on education...