A lesson in behavior at the Aanin checkpoint

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Observers: 
Hagar Dror Meliniak (photographer) and Hanna Heller reporting) Translation: Naomi Halsted
Dec-21-2022
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Afternoon

14:30–16:25

14:30 Barta’a checkpoint: The last of the seamstresses who work in Barta’a are returning home to the West Bank and other workers are starting to come home from Israel. They tell us that the checkpoint was opened at 4:30 this morning and that by about 5:00, it wasn’t crowded any more, but another worker tells us that he was late for work because at around 6 o’clock there were still problems getting through.

 

The sides of the road leading to the checkpoint from the West Bank are packed with parked cars and the three parking lots by the town of Zabda are empty. At best, the people will walk in the wind and rain to the checkpoint. At the worst, they will get a fine from the Israeli police, who operate efficiently in Area C. Hagar has written to the deputy manager of the checkpoint about the parking problems and we’re waiting for an answer.

A resident from East Barta’a – a Palestinian from the Seamline Zone who has a permit to bring goods to and from the West Bank – has been refused entry to Israel by the General Security Services. We gave him Sylvia’s note.

Tura checkpoint – it’s pouring with rain and the checkpoint is empty.

15:35 Anin checkpoint: It’s raining hard. Four loaded tractors are waiting and most of the people are already huddled in the shed and waiting for the barrier to open. We are told that 120 workers and farmers went through in the morning. The soldiers are waiting in the new covered booth, protected from the rain.  

At 15:55, the District Coordination and Liaison car arrives and the gate is opened. A few people are brought into the checkpoint area, but they are stopped by the soldiers checking the exit gate. The gate is closed and the commander shouts at the people. The gate is opened. Some people and one tractor pass the check and go out to the village, but the gate is closed again and by now everyone is shouting. Everyone is brought into the checkpoint area, but the soldiers don’t like their behavior and the exit gate is closed again. The people are told to wait in an orderly line, single file, and only then is the gate opened again – and all this goes on in the pouring rain.

After 20 minutes, everyone has gone through and the gate remains open for latecomers until 16:30.