'Anabta, Ar-Ras, Jubara (Kafriat), Sun 17.8.08, Morning

Irtah checkpoint

06:45 – There are a lot of workers on the way and around the checkpoint. It seems that more and more of them are passing. Some 50 people wait at the turnstile for about 5 minutes. While waiting they ask us to find out the reason for the delay but right after that they pass. Other people we ask at the exit from the checkpoint say the passage has gone well. We don't see any bus at the parking lot.

Jubara

07:10 – Empty in both directions. One of the soldiers opens the gate to the village for us right away.

Ar-Ras

07:15 – The passage is free without restrictions. In either directions there is no line. Coming from the direction of Tulkarm, document checks are random. At the Schoolchildren's Gate the documents of pedestrians are checked.

There are no detainees.

Anabta

07:40 – The place is emptier than it usually is. Five vehicles that have come from the direction of Tulkarm are waiting but it doesn't take them long to pass. We see no pedestrians or peddlers. We assume that the reasons are the students' vacation and opening the passage at Shave Shomron.

We continue to Beit Iba. On our way back, things look about the same at Anabta and Jubara.