Barta'a-Reihan, Tura-Shaked
16:00 – 17:00
We were unable to observe A'anin Checkpoint which is open only from 15:00 – 15:30 because of traffic jams on the way.
Tura Checkpoint, 16:00 – As usual we were greeted by an overflowing garbage container surrounded by litter. A few pedestrians and cars were crossing quickly in both directions.
Barta'a Checkpoint, 16:00 – Large groups of people were arriving at the checkpoint. The surrounding area is pastoral and peaceful in this absurd place.
An owner of a garage in Um A Reihan who lives in Yaabed told us that he requested a permit a month and a half ago to cross through Tura Checkpoint People from the Liaison and Coordination Administration have visited his garage twice, but he has not yet been given a permit. He currently crosses at Barta'a because he is an older man, but on Saturdays and holidays he cannot cross there.
A woman from Tura crossed the Barta'a checkpoint to the seamline zone with her five children. She ;cannot cross at Tura checkpoint, which is a "Fabric of Life" checkpoint.
A 14-year-old boy who went to Jenin to go shopping forgot to bring his mother's ID card with him and was detained at the checkpoint. We met a taxi driver from Barta'a who had come to the checkpoint to release him after bringing the missing ID.