Hebron, Sun 17.2.08, Morning

06:05 - 09:00

06:05 Reihan Checkpoint

The checkpoint opened at 05:30 and the few people who passed are waiting for transport. All the people who arrived at the terminal are inside and the uproar is considerable.

06:20 – a lot of people spew forth together – men, women, youngsters and elderly. B. tells us that on Thursday they met with the checkpoint commander who promised not to delay them in the checkpoint for more than an hour. But if you take into account that they come very early to get as place in line, they spend two to three hours at the checkpoint.

In the lower parking lot 13 tenders are waiting with agricultural produce. Four cars are being checked under the roof, and four more are waiting.

06:40 – the upper lot is teeming with people waiting for transport, passing in both directions.

 

07:00 Shaked Checkpoint

The gate is open and people are beginning to pass. Transit is functioning in both directions in parallel. On the West Bank side some 30 workers and a car are waiting. The soldiers are equipped with a loud hailer system and are making sure that the waiting people don’t pass the fence line.

Two taxis with teachers and students arrive from the Seam Zone. The people go immediately into the inspection room. One taxi passes and the other is delayed. The young schoolchildren pass in a large group without any check. The older ones go through one at a time, their IDs and bags being checked.

07:20 – the passage of vehicles from the Seam Zone to the West Bank is stopped. Workers arriving from the West Bank complain that transit and registration is particularly slow today ("there are new soldiers").

07:30 – two teachers from the West Bank who work in Um Reihan school are waiting for a third teacher, who is being delayed at the checkpoint for some reason.

We leave at 07:30 while there are still delays.

 

07:45 Old Bartaa (agricultural) Checkpoint

A new list has arrived today, and people with passes who are not on it are having difficulties in passing. Those not on the list are being sent to Tulkarm DCO to arrange listing. At 08:00, after everyone has passed, the checkpoint is closed.

 

08:20 Reihan Checkpoint

The first four tenders that entered at 07:00 into the closed inspection compound are now coming out to Bartaa.

Four cars are being checked under the roof, checking time 35 minutes.

A car with products from the Seam Zone is also sent into the compound.

There is pedestrian transit in both directions.