Jubara

06.50am - Tulkarm: We talked to
passengers of 3 busses on their way to Ktziot prison. One said it
would be the first time after 8 months to see his father. Many
children and women were on those buses, which were accompanied by
an Israeli police car. Our impression was that there was more
activity at the checkpoint than we had seen before. The sergeant in
charge was very harsh, wouldn't talk to us, and was very strict
with pedestrians. Lorries with cooking gas to be refilled at Taibeh
petrol station were let through, but pedestrians, even with
permits, were kept waiting. Some of them complained that their
employer was waiting for over an hour on the other side and he may
give up. Meanwhile, a group of children who were chased before
managed to sneak through. Eventually, the men with the working
permits were also let through as was the mute old man, helped by
two young boys with their wooden cart. During our stay, the line of
lorries grew to 8.

08:00, Jubara. The first impression was that all was moving
smoothly. Horse carts with agricultural products were let through,
cars and ambulances were moving after just brief checks, and the
soldiers were friendly and easygoing. One man spoke of how much
precious time he wastes by being held up and delayed from opening
his shop in Tulkarm, and how much money he looses every day. There
were also complaints that the taxis who wait for to take them
further to their destination sometimes give up. Within an hour of
our shift, the queue was cleared.