Rihan

Rihan, Monday, January 3, 2005, AMObservers: Tami S., Tslila P. (reporting)10:00 - 11:30Rihan checkpoint is extremely quiet. Very few pedestrians walk through it, and a very small number of vehicles -- mostly vans loaded with boxes of vegetables, whose drivers are requested to unload a few boxes as "samples" -- a procedure carried out in a somewhat humiliating way. The driver is required to take down a box of cucumbers and pour them into an empty box on the road. It is unclear why a metal detector can't be used for such inspections, thus avoiding unnecessary humiliation of the driver.The shift seems to be reinforced by many soldiers; or is it just our own feeling due to lack of Palestinians in the area? The behavior of the soldiers was okay toward us as well as toward Palestinians.11:45 - Shaked gateIt was closed and wasn't opened until 12:00 noon.