'Anin, Barta'a-Reihan, Tura-Shaked, Ya'bed-Dotan

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Observers: 
Tsfira Z., Neta Golan (Reporting) Marcia L., Translation
Dec-19-2018
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Afternoon

13:30 – Tura-Shaked Checkpoint

There is little traffic at this sleepy checkpoint:  two cars pass from the West Bank to the Seamline Zone; an Israeli minibus returns Palestinian workers on their way home, to the West Bank and picks up another person on his way to the Seamline Zone.  The large amount of garbage spills over from the container to the area that surrounds it and flies with the wind to the road.  We are tired of writing about the garbage, but we are more tired about seeing it week after week.

14:20 – Ya’bed-Dotan Checkpoint

We passed by Barta’a Checkpoint and traveled to Ya’bed-Dotan.  The checkpoint apparently is not manned at this hour and the traffic moves freely.

On the way to Ya’bed Checkpoint, we passed by the side road, a shortcut that goes up to the village of Ya’bed. Since this road  is permanently blocked by a locked iron gate, it was impossible to use it. While we passed by, we saw how the locals return to use that convenient road by using the process of “back-to-back”: one car brings people from Ya’bed to the locked gate.  Another car, that waits for them by the second side of the gate, takes them to their destination outside of the village.

14:40 – Barta’a-Reihan Checkpoint, the Palestinian Side

Few return from work in Israel and the Seamline Zone at this early hour.  Individuals pass in the second direction to the Seamline Zone. We enjoy bitter coffee that two children (ages 8 and 10) sell from thermoses in their hands.  We also enjoy sweet cake that an adult sells from the trunk of his car.  An acquaintance of ours, M., requests toys for the nursery in Zabdah.  I have his telephone number so it is possible to arrange.

15:10 – Anin Checkpoint

To our surprise, the checkpoint is open and people already pass through.  The soldiers arrived early and began to operate the checkpoint 5 minutes early (15:15).  Two soldiers standing at the first gate check permits.  There are few passing through and the passage is quick.  The soldiers know they have to wait until closing (15:30).  We also wait and leave the place with the locking up of the checkpoint.