Reihan, Wed 7.4.10, Morning

Date: 07/04/2010 ,Morning

Observers: Hedvah H., Nava R. (reporting)

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

Punishing the Family

09:45 Reihan-Barta'a CP
No cars are waiting to go through from the seamline zone to the West Bank and only a few pedestrians are passing through in that direction.

A truck loaded with agricultural products stood in front of the vehicle CP in the direction from the West Bank to the seamline zone, and, at some distance from it, there are more trucks and pickup trucks. I asked the driver why the strange arrangement. The driver said that they are not allowing him to go through; he has been waiting since 9 a.m. and they tell him to part in the parking lot or in the inspection areas and they will inspect his truck and let him through only tomorrow. The driver had all the required documents and they say that he is transporting spices and beans. The driver said that the goods are expensive and he cannot leave them in the parked vehicle until tomorrow nor can he return them to the supplier. He says that yesterday his brother tried to transport a part for a tractor of his for repair in the seamline zone. He was not allowed to take the part through the CP and he came to a verbal confrontation with Sharon. As 'family punishment', today they are not allowing his driver brother to go through. The driver also told us that three days ago he came to the CP with a sick baby. They did not let him take the baby through in the car and he was forced to walk with him through the sleeve. The baby's condition worsened. He tole us that another brother is always detained in the terminal until they finally allow him to go through.

I couldn't get Sharon (head of the CP, deputed by the Ministry of Security) on the phone. I called the DCO at that time.

11:00 Ron, an additional head of the CP, approached me. He claims that the driver and his brother do not 'behave nicely' at the CP and they decided to give them a 'collective punishment'. There was also a meeting at the DCO to discuss this. Ron himself looked quite embarrassed as he tried to explain. In the meantime a Hummer with soldiers arrived and they stood in a threatening row near the vehicle CP.

I decided not to leave the place before the truck would go through. The driver's friends brought him Humous and gave some to me.

14:00 the truck with the spices went through.