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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By:

Reihan, Shaked, Wed 3.3.10, Morning

Date: 03/03/2010 ,Morning

Observers: Nava

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

07:00 - Shaked-Tura checkpoint
The checkpoint opened on time.
On the other side of the fence about 12 people and four cars.waited

On the SeamLine zone side two cars were waiting, and occasionally pedestrians would show up.

People who came from the other side of the fence had complained that inspection is slow .

Pupils had gone through. Inspection of their school bags was randomly.

resident of Daher-el-Malec arrived with a container of cooking gas, carried in a wheelbarrow. That individual went to fetch a full container in the West Bank. Trucks with cooking gas containers do not get to Daher-el-Malec.

08:15 All went through.

08:25 Rihan-Barta'a checkpoint
There were vehicles inside the inspection area. No other vehicles waited at the vehicles' inspection checkpoint.

Pedestrians crossed over from the West Bank into the SeamLine zone in groups of five at a time.

I walked through the sleeve on the side of the SeamLine zone, recognizing people who I have just seen on the Palestinian side and they went through after half an hour. There were people who had crossed over within five minutes.

09:30 - I left the checkpoint