Rihan, Shaked, Sunday, 14.5.06 AM Observers: Leah R, Chana H (reporting)06:30 – 08:30 06:30 Rihan Checkpoint All the Shahak workers have crossed without problems. They say that there are occasional problems connected with the list. The seamstresses have also crossed. Passage at the pedestrian crossing from the West Bank to the seam zone proceeds without problems and takes 3-5 minutes per person. According to the soldiers, everyone is passing (only permit holders).A vehicle with produce is being checked and three more are waiting.We are told that workers from Kapin can cross here on day when the gate there is closed, after approval by the DCO.In the Palestinian parking lot we are told that, two weeks ago,. next to Zebada, a checkpoint was established in the direction of Tulkarm, and it operates from 05:00 to 21:00, with no transit for youngsters under 30.Taxis with passengers are crossing towards the West Bank. One taxi is being held up because of one passenger, an Israeli diabetic who travels twice a week to Yabed for alternative treatment. The soldiers try to send him to Taibe, but after the intervention of the DCO, and a phone call to Shiran at Central Command, he is allowed at 07:50 to proceed. 07:20 Shaked Checkpoint The schoolchildren are crossing one by one after they are checked against the list.Two farmers cross from the West Bank to the seam zone. A family with three small children tries to cross to the seam zone, but are delayed for a clarification: after a few minutes they are allowed through. Apparently they are residents of Tura with a permit for Aanin but, because that checkpoint is closed today, they are being allowed to cross at Shaked. A building labourer tries to cross, but is sent by the soldiers to Rihan – reason unclear to us. 07:50 Rihan Checkpoint Regular, if slow, transit of pedestrians and cars in both directions. In the commodity crossing, they are checking two vehicles in parallel.