Northern Checkpoint: Tura – Everyone knows that a horse cannot cross at the checkpoint

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Observers: 
Tami Rituv and Hannah Heller Translation: Bracha Ben-Avraham
Jan-31-2019
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Afternoon

16.35 – 15.25

 Tura – Shaked Checkpoint 15:25 – How can a horse cross without a permit?

This “fabric of life” checkpoint is for Palestinian school pupils to cross to their school in the West Bank and for residents of the seamline zone who wish to take advantage of services of the Palestinian Authority such as shopping in Jenin.  During our 45-minute shift here approximately 20 cars crossed in both directions.  People’s permits are checked in the inspection booth for those coming to the seamline zone from the West Bank.  This area is between the green line and the separation fence and there are Palestinian villages there who are cut off from the West Bank.  These people cross without problems.  Families with children were returning to their villages in the seamline zone from shopping in Jenin.  One woman from Um A-Reihan who was returning from a visit to her daughter told us that they are not allowed to bring food across the checkpoint that is enough for a large family.  According to the checkpoint authorities this is considered a “commercial amount” that requires special permits.  In any case, commercial goods can only be brought across at Reihan – Barta’a Checkpoint that is some distance away.

A resident of Tura told us that this week he asked to cross to his fields located in the seamline zone on the other side of the separation fence with a 100-liter spray tank and a horse.  However, as everyone knows, the horse has no permit to cross!  After about two hours of discussion the man was finally allowed to bring the horse across.

On the way to Reihan - Barta’a Checkpoint we noticed extensive construction near the settlement of Reihan and newly paved roads with new green road signs.

Barta’a  Reihan Checkpoint 16:10 – The routine of the occupation has the aroma of freshly baked cakes.

Large groups of workers, including some who did not leave from here in the morning, are returning from work.  Many work in Israel building the new city of Harish.  The aroma of Thursday’s cakes is present as people descend the sleeveinfo-icon to the terminal and people were stopping to buy cookies for Friday.  Many men and women students were returning from the universities in Nablus and Jenin for the weekend.  There is no avoiding the feeling that the seamline zone is already annexed by Israel and everyone is trying to live with this new reality.