A. from Yamun in a pursuit of livelihood
Telephone conversation with A. from the village of Al-Yamun in the Jenin District
This morning, I was thinking about calling A., a resident of Al-Yamun (see my previous report from October 16, 2023[NH1] ), to ask him how he was, but he got ahead of me and called me to ask me how I was. He was disappointed to hear that we’re not coming to the checkpoints and didn’t think it was because of the closure or the war situation. We talked a bit about the dire economic situation in the West Bank due to the closure. He said that the shortage of goods had pushed up the prices in the Territories more than in Israel. He asked why we aren’t talking with the government, to get them to open up [the checkpoints]. He still believes in our power ….
According to him, 16,000 Palestinians who work in hotels are allowed through.
A resident of Tiberias owes him NIS 5,000 for renovation work and someone has to pay him by check (?). He asked us to bring him the money, most importantly the cash, because the resident of Tiberias is going abroad on Saturday night. I suggested that a Palestinian working in a hotel in Tiberias could be more helpful than me, but A said that they are allowed into Israel to work but are not allowed back (?). It turns out that the renovations in Tiberias were completed several months ago. His permit to work in Israel expired in July and was not renewed as it was for most Palestinians. I didn’t understand from him why he didn’t get the money when the job was finished and why he didn’t ask for our help between July and the outbreak of war.
A asked me to call the lawyer who is dealing with a claim for compensation over a work accident that happened about five years ago. The lawyer is not answering his calls. He added that the lawyer treated him properly and, in the meantime, he has paid for the requisite medical opinion. A thought it would be possible to get an advance on the compensation. I told him that wasn’t possible but he couldn’t understand why not.
I called the lawyer. He replied very politely and promised to talk with A. He added that in the meantime he’s also paid the court fee. I called A, who confirmed what the lawyer said. Let’s hope he keeps his promise to call A.
[NH1]I don’t see such a report in English and Hebrew has heading but no content!
Barta’a-Reihan Checkpoint
See all reports for this place-
This checkpoint is located on the Separation Fence route, east of the Palestinian town of East Barta’a. The latter is the largest Palestinian community inside the seam-line zone (Barta’a Enclave) in the northern West Bank. Western Barta’a, inside Israel, is adjacent to it. The Checkpoint is open all week from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Since mid-May 2007, the checkpoint has been managed by a civilian security company subordinate to the Ministry of Defense. People permitted to cross through this checkpoint into and from the West Bank are residents of Palestinian communities inside the Barta’a Enclave as well as West Bank Palestinian residents holding transit permit. Jewish settlers from Hermesh and Mevo Dotan cross here without inspection. A large, modern terminal is active here with 8 windows for document inspection and biometric tests (eyes and fingerprints). Usually only one or two of the 8 windows are in operation. Goods, up to medium commercial size, may pass here from the West Bank into the Barta’a Enclave. A permanent registered group of drives who have been approved by the may pass with farm produce. When the administration of the checkpoint was turned over to a civilian security firm, the Ya’abad-Mevo Dotan Junction became a permanent checkpoint. . It is manned by soldiers who sit in the watchtower and come down at random to inspect vehicles and passengers (February 2020).
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