You abuse us and then you wonder why we hate you?

6:00 Barta’a Checkpoint

This is usually the rush hour at this checkpoint and still there’s no sign of a waiting line and traffic flows into the terminal nonstop. Two young men approached with two different and unfortunately too familiar requests for help: for one of them, his magnetic card (bearing all the personal data of its owner for the Occupiers’ surveillance) is no longer valid, like that of hundreds of others. No wonder the DCO at Salem is not ready for a swift and massive change of cards. The young man tells us: “I go to the DCO at Salem but the waiting line is endless, I have no chance to change my card. I go home and come back to the DCO in the evening, sleep outside by the gate, on the ground, in order to reserve my place in line the next morning. Either I’ll be able to get to the officials or not. It might take three whole days!” (One can really go mad! Cruel humiliation, loss of rare work days, and sleeping in the open – what more does one need for justified feelings of hatred and wishes of vengeance?)

Could you help me? Asks the fellow.  As does the second young man, who tells us about an Arab Israeli lawyer who is requiring 2000 shekels (or more) for the attempt to lift him out of the blacklists of those denied work permits to enter Israel. The phone numbers of Sylvia (Machsomwatch member who does her best to help in such cases) are offered and we part.

Ahmad, a Bedouin driver from Emri’ha, tells us about a trip he took in the Palestinian Jordan Valley, to one of the springs he knows well. There were Jews there, settler-colonists from Itamar settler-colony. How was it with them? We ask. Good people, like my brothers. He says and kisses his fingertips. Surreal.

6:30 ‘Anin Checkpoint

The soldiers (Military Police) are present but late at opening the checkpoint. (6:45).
As they begin letting people through, they turned the first one back. Perhaps because his permit ran out or because they suspected the destination was not work in olive groves. In the military policemen’s eyes they’re too well dressed for farmers! “What do you need 200 shekels for if you’re on your way to tend your land?” the soldier asks the elderly man after instructing him to empty his pockets!

A young man carrying a ladder on his shoulders was allowed through. He walks, or runs actually, to his olive grove. At long last his permit has been renewed! He did not receive his permit throughout the olive harvest season, sat at home and ate his heart out.

We hear yelling from those waiting to cross. In response, the soldiers close the gate and again – educational act it is!

A young man approaches us, angry. The soldiers don’t believe people who say they’re on their way to their olive groves. Order them back to the village. This is what you do to us? You don’t let us work? People stay home, have nothing to do. They get very upset. Then you’re surprised that we hate you…”

8:00 Tayibe-Roumana Checkpoint

The same military policemen from ‘Anin Checkpoint are now at this checkpoint as we arrive. Passage proceeds without delays. We did not monitor it all because we did not stay till the end.