Rihan

Rihan, Saturday, February 19, 2005, AMObservers: Rachel H., Eva B. , Noa G., Yonat Y. (reporting)08:40 - 11:00A sunny spring day. At the checkpoint there is a new unit. Second Lieutenant M. welcomes us with a question: did we come to observe them. We are allowed to stand only behind the checkpoint, by the vehicle passage. When we ask to come closer, we receive a negative answer. The distance makes it hard to observe.The traffic is lively, many vehicles of Arab Israelis from different places in Israel. The vehicles go through the inspection swiftly. Inspection is not as strict as in the past. Merchandise is not being unloaded and merchants are not requested to pour out the contents of the boxes.Drivers who complete the process report an improvement in the functioning of the checkpoint. On the other hand, a lecturer from a university in Jenin reports an unpleasant feeling when soldiers flirt among themselves while drivers wait.On that occasion we received compliments about the activity of MachsomWatch.At the pedestrian inspection post one can feel an easing of the strict inspections. An agriculture worker is allowed to cross at gate 5 instead of gate 12, even without the purple stamp. A woman with a child are allowed in without a permit.Having said all the above, we do have to say that the tone of voice of some of the soldiers is not polite.