Tura Checkpoint: A driver would rather wait and wait than honk the soldiers

Hermesh Checkpoint, 16:00

On the way to the checkpoint we passed Barta’a Checkpoint.  The gate was closed, but the guards asked who we were and we told them “Machsom Watch” and the gate was opened without any further questions.  All the parking lots were filled with cars belonging to Palestinians.  On the way to Hermesh checkpoint we discovered that during the Corona pandemic a new asphalt road had been paved from Emricha junction to the junction near the settlement of Hermesh.  The checkpoint was not manned and the Bedouin who live nearby invited us in for tea, but we declined politely and continued on to Yaabed.

 15:30 – Yaabed Dotan Checkpoint

The checkpoint was very quiet and to our surprise one of the soldiers came down from the watchtower to talk with us and reported that the others had sent him down to chat.  The soldiers were not wearing masks and everything was very quiet and calm.   

15:45 – Barta’a Reihan Checkpoint

The checkpoint was crowded and when we got out of our car the children were waiting for us with coffee.  Despite the crowds most of the people were not wearing masks and when we asked why they replied: “There’s no Corona and no sneezing.”  The area was very lively and people were selling watermelons and peanuts.  The checkpoint had been closed for 70 days.  Some of the Palestinians who had spent the quarantine period in Israel reported that they had not worked during the closure. 

At the exit gate after being asked again to identify ourselves the guard said, “Oh, you’re from the Checkpoint Watch.”

16:15 – Tura – Shaked Checkpoint

The school children are already on summer vacation and the checkpoint was very quiet.  Two cars arrived and were met to soldiers who were apathetic and were in no hurry to let them cross.  When we approached them they acted as if they didn’t hear.  When we asked the driver why he didn’t honk his horn at the soldiers he replied that he didn’t dare do that.  When we finally yelled at the soldiers they finally began to work and said, “Yalla, let’s get it done quickly.”

We returned home at 16:45.