checkpoints and loopholes standing side by side in the northern checkpoints

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Observers: 
Tami Rituv (Photos), Neta Golan (Reporting) Translation: Bracha Ben-Avraham
Nov-25-2021
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Afternoon

14:30 – Tura – Shaked Checkpoint

A few cars crossed to the West Bank and two youths crossed to the seamline zone and waited for their father to exit the checkpoint in a fancy car.

14:50 – Barta’a – Reihan Checkpoint

There were cars lined up at the vehicle checkpoint in both the Palestinian and the Israeli lanes that lead to the West Bank.   We were surprised that the chain link fence blocked the road as well as the entrance to the vehicle inspection point through which Palestinian vehicles drive through to the seamline zone.  We didn’t know why the gatesinfo-icon were closed.  After a short time the gates opened and we crossed through.    

15:10 – Yaabed Dotan Checkpoint

Cars were crossing in both directions without delay.  A few cars with Israeli license plates belonging to Arab Israeli citizens were driving through in the direction of Yaabed and towards Jenin.  Next to the sign advertising “A Real Home” in the settlement of Mevo Dotan there is another sign with the emergency number of the Samaria (Shomron) Regional Council.  Now we know who to call if there is an emergency.       

15:20 – On the way to Hermesh we saw a pretty stone fence surrounding a farm.  The checkpoint next to the settlement of Hermesh has been empty for years and traffic was flowing freely in both directions.

  

15:30 – Barta’a Reihan Checkpoint

The parking lot on the Palestinian side was too full, so we drove to the seamline zone side and walked down the sleeveinfo-icon that contains a fenced in covered walkway to the entrance to the terminal.  The bougainvillea vines have grown through and decorated the roof.   One man complained that in the morning it takes a long time to cross and people were subjected to an additional inspection in an inner room.    We restrained ourselves from asking why he didn’t cross through one of the holes in the fence instead of crossing through the checkpoint.  Some people greeted us and others bought boxes of cakes for the weekend from the kiosk belonging to the settler.  

16:00 A’anin Checkpoint

We arrived at 16:00 which the District Coordination and Liaison Office  announced this morning was the hour the checkpoint would open.  There were no soldiers or farmers waiting to cross.  Perhaps they had crossed earlier.  Two youths crossed through a hole in the fence next to the main gate. A group of youths from A’anin came to the hole and crossed back and forth through it.  A Palestinian car arrived from the seamline zone and parents and children got out and crossed through the hole on their way to A’anin with the other group of youths going to A’anin.  Perhaps they were relatives or friends.

We left at 16:15 and pondered the checkpoints with the holes in the fence nearby, the permits that people long for, and the absurd situation.