Barta'a-Reihan, Tura-Shaked

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Observers: 
Rachele H., Neta L., (Reporting) Marcia L., Translation
Jun-17-2017
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Morning

06:50 – 07:35 – Tura-Shaked Checkpoint
Ten minutes before the official opening of the checkpoint, there are a number of people waiting on the West Bank side and one car on the side of the Seamline Zone.  The soldiers arrive at 06:55, but the happiness is premature:  According to the explanation given by the polite female soldier, “There is a problem with the computer and it is impossible to pass through now.  It is not our aim to delay you and we hope that the problem will be solved soon.”  The passage through the checkpoint was delayed about half an hour and only at 07:25 did the first person pass through.  However, from that moment the passage is very quick and within 10 minutes, everyone passes through, in both directions.

Today also only a few pass through here, obviously because of the Ramadan fast.  The tobacco is already blossoming in the fields.

07:50 – 08:20 – Barta’a-Reihan Checkpoint
The upper parking lot is filled with people waiting for transportation to work.  People come up from the terminal, relatively less compared to regular days.  In the terminal there are only two windows open and there is a line next to both of them.  In spite of this, the passage is quite quick.  We calculated about 10 minutes for the passage of every two people.  One man turned to us for help because he is prohibited from passing through the checkpoint and he received from us the official telephone numbers to call for help (thank you Sylvia).

Ripe grape vines curve around the top of the sleeveinfo-icon fence (the enclosed fence leading to and from the terminal).  Nature doesn’t disappoint and the change of seasons and years continue.  When we left, the upper parking lot was already almost emptied completely of people.