Barta'a - no solution to the overcrowding problem at the moment

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Observers: 
Marina Banai and Ruthi Tuval Translation: Danah Ezekiel
Feb-21-2023
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Morning

5:30 Barta’a-Reihan checkpoint

Our old acquaintance S.A. calls. He just went out to the shuttle plaza. We meet on the road.  He speaks about the difficulties of entering the checkpoint in the last few mornings. He is 61 years old, and works in a very dangerous place, according to him. It is a factory for assembling or finishing buses and he has to wear a mask all day because of the toxic substances. He earns minimum wage. We’ve seen him more upbeat on other days, but "Alhamdulillah, the main thing is to work".

The shuttle plaza is completely full and also the sides of the road. We continued south and parked in the Palestinian parking lot. It is now 6:05 and many are still waiting to enter the checkpoint facilities. In the first facility, similar to a covered pen with a "barrel" roof (like the pavilions in the British Mandate camps) - the passages are very narrow and crowded. We are told that last week an ambulance had to be called to rescue three people who felt sick in the terrible crowding. All report that the transition from start to finish takes at least an hour.

In the parking lot someone calls our name: Hadi! We knew him as a boy. Today he is a father of three and earns a living from transportation in his private car. Still smiling despite his thick beard. He asked about Anna... We handed out some Sylvia notes and moved on.

6:35 Ya’bed-Dotan checkpoint

Hadi was right. The checkpoint appears to be unmanned. He said earlier that the soldiers are actually there in the afternoon when the workers are returning to their homes (in the Jenin district). 5 armored jeeps arrive from the direction of Area A and turn left towards their base near the Mevo-Dotan settlement. Later another jeep arrived and a "Kfir" soldier warned us not to stand in this place that is exposed to terrorist attacks. When we introduced ourselves, one of the soldiers answered with a mocking smile: "You are really doing holy work and I’m with “Im Tirtzu”.

7:15 We passed the Barta’a checkpoint again

Most of the workers had been picked up by then.

7:20 Tura-Shaked checkpoint

It was quiet as usual. Several cars and pedestrians passed on both sides of the barrier. And should you wonder whether anyone has accidentally bothered to clean the filth around - then absolutely not.

S. called later, and said that he spoke with someone at the offices of "Ma’avar Reihan" (Barta’a checkpoint) who told him that there is no solution to the overcrowding problem at the moment.