Barta'a-Reihan, Tura-Shaked, Ya'bed-Dotan

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Observers: 
Elia Levy and Ruthi Tuval (reporting, photos), Translation: Bracha Ben-Avraham
Feb-4-2018
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Afternoon
מחסום יעבד-דותן
Yaabed Dotan Checkpoint
Photo: 
Ruti Tuval
מחסום יעבד-דותן: אליה משוחחת עם החייליפם
Elia talking with the soldiers at Yaabed Dotan Checkpoint
Photo: 
Ruti Tuval
מחסום ברטעה: ערב יורד על סוללת האשפה
Reihan – Barta'a Checkpoint – Evening descending on the garbage dump
Photo: 
Ruti Tuval

 

15:30 – Tura – Shaked Checkpoint

Nothing is happening here. A single car arrived and the soldiers did not even bother with it.  Someone got out and then it turned back.  We drove by Hirbet Al Ra'adiyeh, which still has not been provided with electricity, and bought some excellent olives.  

16:00 Yaabed Mevo Dotan Checkpoint

We drove past the crowded Reihan – Barta'a Checkpoint.  There were more than the usual number of soldiers between Emricha and Yaabed Checkpoint, and there were also many cars. There is a lot of traffic from Reihan – Barta'a checkpoint to Jenin and the surrounding area.   Several concrete blocks were moved inside the checkpoint, and cars no longer have to drive in such a zigzag manner when coming through.  Vehicles were able to pass through in both directions at the same time. 

A military announcement was heard about throwing stones next to one of the pillboxes. Two soldiers – one from the town of Rehovot and the other from the settlement of Beit El came out of the protected area because they were worried about us, and then they found out what we were doing there.  We spent about a half hour talking with them, and our conversation occasionally developed angry tones, mainly when talking about historical facts. They were unable to perceive themselves as an occupation army and did not hesitate to tell us about their "raison d'être".  "There are unfortunate people everywhere, even in Israel.  Why aren't you concerned about them?"  At last the settler left us after complimenting us on our perseverance about the values that were important to us. 

On the way back we passed two fire trucks and several military vehicles on their way somewhere.

17:00 Barta'a – Reihan Checkpoint

The parking lot was so crowded and disorderly that it was difficult to make our way through it, even on foot.  People were constantly arriving and leaving for home. The drivers who had already made several trips smiled when they told us they had seen us arguing with the soldiers at Yaabed – Dotan Checkpoint.  We stopped and Elia bought a cup of coffee and we bought cakes and sweets in order to make everyone happy.