'Anabta, Ar-Ras, Irtah, Thu 13.11.08, Morning

Louise Levi translating

7.00  Irtach – Most of the workers and the families of the prisoners have already passed through the roadblock. Because of the rainy weather fewer workers have arrived, and those who have complain, asking why additional exit lanes have not been opened. Only 4 out of 16 lanes are open. We want to talk to the commander in charge, but he is not at the roadblock. The security guard tries to find him for us. Since this complaint is as old as the roadblock itself, maybe we should turn to higher instances having the authority to do something about it. Or maybe, we have already tried everything there is to do, but with no result.

7.30  A-Ras – Rigorous inspections of the vehicles passing through the roadblock, especially of those coming from the south. Passengers are ordered out of their cars during inspection, and a long line of vehicles is already waiting. Each arriving car is being checked. The soldiers behave arrogantly and show little respect.

7.50Anabta – Routine. The man selling coffee gets sacks of clothes from us. Happily he passes through to the other side of the roadblock, where the soldiers stop him to check his sacks. No problem arises.