Barta'a-Reihan, Tura-Shaked

15:30 – Tura-Shaked Checkpoint

The checkpoint was quiet, few people passed in two directions.  A man who returned from work told us that in the morning the checkpoint opened a half an hour late and the passage was very slow.

16:00 – Barta’a-Reihan Checkpoint

Hundreds of workers return from Israel or from the Seam line Zone, especially from Harish (a  new city being  constructed 15 minutes' drive from the checkpoint, in Israel).  There were so many workers that despite the speedy passage, there was a lot of crowding next to the turnstile.  In the lower parking lot the shed was being demolished to make room for a new one. It will be a lot larger, with 4 lanes and 4 turnstiles, to cope with the many workers in the mornings.  There is also talk of a separate turnstile for those leaving from the Seamline Zone to the West Bank.  The workers look relaxed and the riots at Temple Mount don’t seem to be significant to them.  Several people stopped us and asked for help in dealing with prohibition to enter Israel (by the General Security Services or the police).