'Anabta, Ar-Ras, Jit, Jubara (Kafriat), Qalqiliya, Mon 4.8.08, Morning
Ras at-Tira
06:35 – Only now do they start opening the gate. About 20 workers are waiting to leave the village and 2 cars whose drivers are also waiting in line for the magnetometer. The soldiers are getting ready slowly and leisurely …
According to our measuring it takes 6 minutes to "handle" a worker who enters the inspection facility. We haven't taken the time of waiting outside.
Eliyahu Passage
06:55 – Though the workers who pass through this passage have arranged with one of them to keep an eye on the line, they still complain that the soldiers' checking is very slow (about 5 to 7 minutes for every worker). All of them are registered with the security officer of Alfe Menashe and, according to them, have to report to him, too.
They always wait from a very early hour in the morning and often get to work late.
Qalqiliya
07:15 – When we arrive at the checkpoint, in both directions there are scarcely any checks. After some time it seems that the checks on leaving the city are stricter. Passengers are told to get out of the taxis and also off a bus that has arrived and their documents are checked over the phone.
The line of cars is getting longer although the car that is being checked is sent to stand aside. Seventeen cars are checked within 10 minutes. The document of a passenger who has been told to get out of a taxi is checked most thoroughly. He is sent to stand aside and the taxi in which he arrived leaves after a while. When we ask what is going on with the guy, they tell us that his case is being taken care of.
07:50 – We leave. There is no change in Shvut Ami and the tent encampment that is across from it.
08:10 – Jit junction is open. A Hummer is parked at the far end.
Anabta
10:00 – In both directions the passage is quick and there are scarcely any inspections. At the taxi parking place we meet a group of Italians, members of an international Catholic peace organization, who are now touring Israel and the Palestinian Authority. They are also going to visit Shderot and some Bedouin settlements in the south. They have heard about MachsomWatch and have shown interest in talking to us. The name of their organization is Paxchristi. The fig sellers are happy to have more buyers.
10:30 – We leave.
At the figs passage the traffic passes quickly.
Ar-Ras
There isn't any traffic although the soldiers say that earlier it was lively. Cars that come from the direction of Qalqiliya are checked.
11:00 – We leave to go home.
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