Hamra, Tayasir, Mon 30.8.10, Morning

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Rachel H., Revital S.
30/08/2010
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בוקר

Translation: Bracha B.A

03:50 – We parted from a malodorous garbage truck that was bringing garbage from Israel to the occupied territories and crossed the border at Bezek Crossing.

04:10 – The base at Tayasir Checkpoint is a glaring light against the sky that is still filled with stars.  It is still dark, but workers from Tayasir are already sitting on the sidewalk in front of the inspection point waiting for their vehicle to be checked.  They are on  their way to work in the banana fields in Beit Ha'Arava.  They work day is an hour and a half shorter because of Ramadan.

There are many soldiers at the checkpoint.  We counted six, with full equipment, including a stretcher and large water container.  While we were there a bus and three cars arrived from the west bringing workers, and one vehicle arrived from the east.  A jeep also arrived from area A, stopped at the base, and returned from where it came.   The soldiers from the Duchifat Unit did not greet us when we arrived or when we left.

Hamra Checkpoint

05:25 a jeep from the Liaison and Coordination Administration is in position.  Workers arrive from Beit Hassan to go to work in the settlement of Messuah.  While we were waiting two minibuses, a van, and three private vehicles drove through going eastward.  One of the workers tells us that there is no point in our being there in the morning because the settlers already see to it that passage goes smoothly.  It is better that we come in the afternoon.  We take this into account.  In addition, two trucks also arrive – one carrying well–packed agricultural produce and another carrying children who are too young to be workers.  We were told they are being driven to school in the Jiftlik.

During the time we were there only one truck came from the east side.

One of the soldiers from the "duchifat" unit was friendly and told us that he was from Gush Etzion in the occupied territories, and said that passage in the afternoon usually went smoothly.  There was also an unusually large presence of soldiers at this checkpoint.  It appears that the less busy the checkpoints (the more the system of checkpoints and permits proves itself””) and the less need there is for armed soldiers – the more soldiers are there.

At 06:00 we were forced to leave because of the mosquitoes.

06:25 – We told the female guard at the Bezek Crossing that everything was OK.