The agricultural checkpoints in Anin and Taibe Romana do not open

On Thursday, May 14^th, I promised our friend M. from the village of A’anin in the Jenin district,  to find out when A’anin agricultural checkpoint (which the IDF refers to as gate 214) would reopen.  The Moked for the Defense of the Individual suggested I call on Sunday between 8-1 and speak with Nihiya who is responsible for the agricultural checkpoints.  I didn’t reach Nihiya but I spoke with Irit who also deals with the agricultural checkpoints.  She explained to me that agricultural permits are currently being dealt with individually and that not everyone who had a permit previously is having their permit renewed.  A person has to prove that their permit is essential, for example, for cultivating vegetables, and even then the permit is renewed for one month only.    The organization has approached the authorities with a general request, but they need to add several private cases.  She suggested that M. speak with Nihiya on Monday and she would explain to him how to submit a request and how to gather additional people to submit requests.   Meanwhile, Shuli obtained the new phone numbers for the Salem District Coordination and Liaison Office: 02-9703011 or 02-9703046.  A soldier answered but she didn’t know when the A’anin and Tibeh Romena checkpoints would be reopened, but she agreed to pass me over to an officer in charge of the checkpoints.  He said that “as usual” no decision had been made yet regarding when the agricultural checkpoints would reopen.  I tried to reach M. again but without success.  It’s not, people are fasting because it is Ramadan, and there is no work, so people simply find it easiest to sleep.   M. finally answered the phone after the meal in the evening.  He said that he would call the Moked the next day, but he did not call Tuesday or Wednesday.  Finally on Thursday he called me back after midnight.  I was frightened that something had happened to him or in A’anin, but nothing was wrong.  He asked me for the phone number of the Moked and said he would call and let me know.