Barta'a-Reihan, Tura-Shaked
Barta'a- Reihan Checkpoint, 06:15
There isn't a line like this in Israel. . Several hundred impatient men who woke up early wait in front of the turnstile and worry that they will miss their rides to work. This only happens in the West Bank, not with us.
Anna counts. The turnstile opens and several hundred workers enter. After two or three minutes, an additional hundred enter. But the line doesn't get shorter because at the same time, many more people arrive. It is clear that there is also a positive aspect: there are a great many work permits. I spoke to the Director of the checkpoint. He admits the problem but he sounds helpless. Today, even A., the volunteer attendant, is nervous; he can't take the tension. He is angry at the pushing. The workers also complain about the long time they wait when they return from work. Two young men return; they lost their rides. A group of women pass through a separate turnstile.
When we left, at 7:30, there was still a mass of people. There is also a long line of trucks filled with merchandise. One of the drivers of the truck that is transporting meat, turns to Anna and she requests that they go ahead in line.
7:30 - Tura-Shaked Checkpoint, 07:30
They say that the passage began at the early hour of 06:30. A man turned to us, worried that the inspection machine ruins his health. Several students come, who actually smile at us this time. A painter passes who works in Shaked. He announces that he saves a lot of time by passing through this checkpoint. There is traffic all the time, by foot and by vehicle, in two directions.
09:00 - We leave.