Reihan, Shaked, Sat 13.2.10, Morning

Date: 13/02/2010 ,Morning

Observers: Miriam Z., Noah L. (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

0740 - 0810 Shaked-Tura checkpoint
Traffic streams along on both directions without delays - pedestrians, vehicles, roads.... There are no people waiting on either side of the checkpoint.

0820 -0850 Rihan-Barta'a checkpoint
Here too traffic streams along without delays on both directions.
Inside the terminal two windows are operational and those coming out report of quick passage.
By the vehicles' inspection post, for cars going into the West Bank, a car is parked and its passengers are engaged in a discussion with the inspectors. An individual who passes by says that there is a problem with children wanting to cross over and perhaps we can be of help. By the time we walked over, all problems apparently have been solved and all went through.

Four commercial vehicles wait to get into the cargo inspection post in the enclosed designated area.