Eliyahu CP - The dog is out to lunch
09:00 Eliyahu CP. As in the previous shift (9.9.18), as soon as we parked this time a security guard suddenly appeared before us. Someone new this time, who isn’t familiar with Machsom Watch. He calls to Tomer, the checkpoint commander, whom we met last time.
He repeats the same instructions, move back, don’t photograph, it’s a military installation, etc…promises to give us a guided tour if we obtain approval from the checkpoint administration.
Rachel contacts Ramim, the checkpoint administration. The clerk promises to transmit our request but the tour will be conducted only after the holidays. Rachel will submit a formal request “according to regulations,” including the names of members interested in participating.
We continue to ‘Azzun, drop off parcels and visit Z. and his wife S. at their home.
11:00 Back to Eliyahu CP. No trucks from the plant nurseries.
At the Habla plant nursery we talk with A.’s nephew.
Abed, from the other plant nursery, coordinates the nurseries’ truck crossings with the checkpoint commander in order to prevent congestion. Each arrives at the appointed time. The lengthy inspections can take an hour or even two hours. When an owner of a nursery asked why he has to wait a long time he was told the dog is eating breakfast. He probably has to take a nap afterwards…
Walid, the grocer, arrives each morning from Qalqilya with fresh produce and waits for about an hour and a half for his inspection to be concluded. It’s like that every morning.
One step after another until the Habla checkpoint is closed for good.