'Anabta, Ar-Ras, Jubara (Kafriat), Thu 14.2.08, Morning
Jubara, the Schoolchildren's Gate
07:05 – The bus the children have already been waiting for arrives. The soldiers ask to let them know before entering the village.
Ar-Ras
07:15 – There is no line and the passage is quick.
Anabta
07:40 – The checkpoint was closed 15 minutes ago and the line is getting longer and longer. Only pedestrians pass. About 20 minutes later cars start moving. A truck carrying huge water tanks is sent back to Tulkarm.
07:50 – Cars are also allowed to enter. The long line of outgoing cars has become three parallel lines that are now blocking the passage of ingoing cars. Each time a car leaves, the opening is closed by another car. It's a struggle for survival. An army vehicle arrives bringing breakfast and soldiers to replace the serving shift. It stands in the middle of the road and the checkpoint closes. Lords of the land! When we suggest that they move the vehicle, they respond by saying "sorry!"
08:05 – The shift has been replaced and the traffic starts streaming immediately, cars pushing their way between the army vehicle and the concrete barrier in the middle of the road. They all pass quickly, but the line is endless. Every now and then the road at the exit is blocked by a car that pushes in and is stopped by the soldiers.
08:15 – The lines at the entrance are still long. Sometimes a car is sent back to Tulkarm. A taxi driver tells us that in the last week thee has been a "rolling" checkpoint [unannounced, mobile roadblock] in Jerushiya. Waiting time there is about two hours.