Eyal, Mon 11.5.09, Afternoon
18:00 – Private cars and taxis are beginning to bring Palestinian workers back from work in Israel. We stand opposite the turnstile at the entrance to the building. An army vehicle approaches us. An officer with the rank of lieutenant gets out to speak with us. He explains that we must move back and stand at the gate and points to the shed next to the parking lot. "What can we see from there?" we ask, and he suggests that we bring binoculars with us. When we asked the reason why he wants us to distance us, he explains that this is a closed military zone. We argue with him and he decides to clarify the matter and makes a phone call. After a short conversation he tells us "You're right. My mistake, I'm sorry."
During the time we were near the crossing there were no lines and people hurried through the turnstiles and exited in the building within a short time.
Eyal Checkpoint / Crossing
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Eyal Checkpoint is intended for pedestrians and Palestinians only. This is the main barrier for workers to cross from the center of the West Bank. Workers with a work permit to enter Israel can pass through it for trade, medicine, and visiting prisoners. The checkpoint was built on the Green Line north of Qalqilya in the separation barrier that surrounds the city. The checkpoint began operating in 2004 by the military. Opening hours on weekdays from 04:00 to 19:00. We started holding shifts there in 2007. We arrived at the checkpoint before it opened at 4 in the morning. We reported on the difficult conditions and the long and cramped queues of workers who must continue their journey by commuting to work throughout Israel. At the end of June 2009, the checkpoint was operated by a civil security company, The transit time has been gradually shortened, today it is faster, but the Palestinians still have to arrive very early to make it to the transportation. Usually, about 15,000 people pass through.
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