'Anabta, Deir Sharaf, Eyal, Qalqiliya, Tue 12.5.09, Afternoon

At the entrance to the town there
is a line of about 30 cars. The inspection is random, and the long line
gets shorter without delay. At the exit the cars pass without inspection. 

15:40  The Barrel Checkpoint

There is a long line of cars
at the entrance. Buses with settlers pass by and enter without inspection.
From time to time a car is ordered to park on the side for ID card check. 

16:00  Anabta

There is no line. The traffic
is flowing. 

17:00  Eyal

The line at the entrance is not
long. Groups of 50 people enter through the turnstile. When talking
to people we understand that the lines are a problem especially in the
morning. A Palestinian tells us that he leaves for work at 3:00 in the
morning and returns home at 17:00. After this checkpoint he has to pass
two more. He works in Rosh Ha’ayin, and his village is close by, but
he has to make all the way through the checkpoint at Eyal. He complains
about how people are identified by way of their handprint. According
to him it takes a long time, especially when the soldiers are new and
have no experience with the system. There is also a problem when their
hands are dirty with cement or other materials. He says that the time
people have to wait depends on the number of checking positions. They
do not always operate all the positions. (That is, with good will and
some effort it is possible to relieve the suffering of the Palestinian
workers.)