Since 2001 we have observed dozens of army checkpoints on paved and unpaved roads in the West Bank, the Jordan Valley and along the Separation Fence; Civil Administration offices which grant permits to Palestinians; and military courts trying Palestinian prisoners. We stand at the checkpoints observing the behavior of soldiers and Palestinians without interfering, intervening only when soldiers behave offensively to Palestinians. Then we try to speak to the soldiers themselves or telephone...

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Reihan, Shaked, Tue 26.1.10, Morning

Date: 26/01/2010 ,Morning

Observers: Hasida S., Ruthi T.

Reihan

Reihan (Bartaa) Checkpoint allows transit only to vehicles and pedestrians holding transit permits appropriate to the place. The checkpoint is located on the separation fence, east of East Bartaa, and is supposed to supply continuation of the "fabric of life" to the Palestinian residents living in the "Seam Zone," who have been physically cut off from the West Bank by the that fence. Since 16 May 2007, it has been maintained by a civilian security company subcontracting to the Defense Ministry.
Functioning on the site is a large and sophisticated terminal, which includes biometric facilities for identification of the palm of the hand, and small examination rooms to which men and women are taken by random selection. Agricultural produce and other goods may be transferred through here from the West Bank to the Seam Zone enclave in limited quantities, by a group of regular drivers and in prior coordination with the DCO and the army.
Since the checkpoint passed into civilian hands, the Mevo Reihan CP (near Umriha village) has been used as a checking point for Palestinians on their way to the Reihan checkpoint.

Close description

Translation: Bracha B.A.

06:45
We passed by Reihan Checkpoint on our way to Emricha. Workers are waiting for their rides to work. A tender loaded with merchandise is waiting to be checked. The lower parking lot is almost empty.

06:55 – Dotan - Emricha Checkpoint
The checkpoint has a pillbox and concrete barriers that force drivers to zigzag through, but the checkpoint is unmanned and traffic flows through freely in both directions. People coming from Jenin tell us that the checkpoint is more active in the afternoons when people are coming back from work. On our way back to the Reihan Checkpoint we stopped next to the driver A., who was waiting to pick up passengers on the bridge near Zibda. For some reason gates are blocking the road under the bridge.

07:10 – Reihan-Barta'a
Two vans with merchandise are waiting in the lower parking lot to be checked. Six vans entered the inspection facility at 05:30 and came out at 07:45. Meanwhile only a few additional cars have arrived. Occasionally workers arrive and enter the terminal and come out after 10-15 minutes.
A new feature has been added to the brown flowerpots along the fence of the sleeve leading to the terminal – a statue of a turtle with three workers laboring around it. How sweet.

08:10 – Shaked-Tura Checkpoint

A herd of goats passes through when we arrive. We are forbidden to cross the line. There is little traffic and students are on vacation from school.