'Anin, Taybe Romana (Gate 154), Thu 24.6.10, Morning

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צופות ומדווחות: 
Shula B., Neta G.
24/06/2010
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בוקר

Translation: Bracha B.A.

06:10 – A'anin Checkpoint

The gatesinfo-icon are open and a few people are crossing.  The clothing that was supposedly a danger to Israel's security is scattered at the entrance to the checkpoint.  (See previouse report 10.6.10).
 A 64-year-old retired teacher says that yesterday afternoon the soldiers would not let him bring some used mattresses across the checkpoint and he had to drive back and leave them in his field.  When he returned to the checkpoint the soldiers would not let him through, so he had to drive to the Reihan-Barta'a checkpoint – a long and expensive trip.  
One of the tractor drivers says that the herds from Ein Sahala have eaten all of his crops and all of our efforts to stop this have been in vain.

The soldiers lock the gates at 06:30.  We speak with some of the soldiers and soon find that they are convinced of the usual idea that because of the "dangerous" clothing that was left at the checkpoint, we can go to a shopping center in Tel Aviv and not be in danger [of a terrorist attack].  We consider writing a letter of complaint about the incident.

Reihan-Barta'a Checkpoint 06:58:
Workers are departing for work in the seamline zone and drivers are waiting for passengers.  The park that has been built here angers us greatly – how much money and water is being wasted here in an attempt to camouflage the occupation and usurping of land?  We descend the sleeveinfo-icon to the entrance to the terminal.  For about ten minutes no one comes out.  When traffic resumes we find out that there was a change in the shift.  How is everything today? "Everything is OK."

07:40  - Taybe – Romana Checkpointיותר טוב לזרוק סגדים מאשר ללבוש. צילום שולה בר
We arrived at the checkpoint 15 minutes before it opened.  Shortly after we got there three Palestinian men arrived and sat down underneath the shelter to wait.  .At 08:00 a tractor arrived as well.  After 10 minutes after the appointed opening time a group of soldiers arrived – the same group that had been at A'anin earlier.  "There was an incident, but we'll stay here for 15 minutes more," promises an officer without our asking.  There are only four people waiting and they cross through quickly one by one.  One of the people crossing is a resident of the village of Romana that is far from the checkpoint.  He also complains about the lack of agricultural permits and about the need to drive so far to reach his fields.  Once a month the checkpoint is manned by soldiers from the border patrol.  He says that the other soldiers are better. 

We left at 08:30 without ensuring whether the soldiers really stayed for an additional 15 minutes, since there was no one left.