Northern checkpoints: Palestinians rush home to break the Ramadan fast

Palestinians were crossing quickly at the end of the day of fasting

15:00 – We drove past A’anin agricultural checkpoint and met workers who were returning from work and going down to the gate of the checkpoint.  They reported that the checkpoint had opened late at 07:00  and that many workers and three tractors had crossed.   They were hoping that the checkpoint would open at 15:45 so that they could return home quickly in order to break their fast.  One man who was a resident of A’anin with a work permit that was not an agricultural permit was forced to go all the way to Reihan – Barta’a checkpoint to return home, which was much farther away and forced him to return home much later...

On our way to Reihan – Barta’a Checkpoint we passed many transport vehicles bringing workers back to the checkpoint.  During Ramadan people end their work day and return to the West Bank much earlier..

There were hundreds of workers walking down the sleeve at the checkpoint but there was no delay because people were crossing without being checked.  Many men, women, and children were returning from Jenin to East Barta’a through the covered sleeve.  . We also noticed that Israeli Arab students from Wadi Eron are now able to cross here, which they could not do during the COVID-19 pandemic.   

Israeli Arabs were crossing with their cars through the vehicle checkpoint to celebrate Ramadan in the West bank.  On the way back they will have to enter Israel through the Jalameh Checkpoint which is farther away.   All Israeli and Palestinian cars were undergoing a security check.

At Tura Shaked Checkpoint workers were returning from work in Israel and the seamline zone.  People were crossing quickly.  A family who were celebrating crossed with the father and one child in the car, while the mother and baby crossed through the inspection booth on foot.  Three young men told us that since the terrorist attacks they have to undergo a more lengthy check.  They are forced to empty their pockets and are asked a lot of questions.

Soldiers are stationed in tents near all the breaches in the fence day and night.  There are also soldiers at A’anin Checkpoint and Tura 24 hours a day.