Eyal Crossing, ‘Anabta, Irtah (Sha’ar Efrayim), Jubara (Kafriat), Qalqiliya, Te’enim Crossing, Wed 22.7.09, Afternoon
14:45 Ras Atiya checkpoint, Gate 1351 (in the Alfei Menashe enclave)
On the way to the checkpoint we saw the new fence being built in the Alfei Menashe enclave. They’ve progressed to the point where the two fences meet (past the Bedouin tents). At least three bulldozers are working intensively.
Nothing worth reporting at the checkpoint itself.
The soldiers approached us to see who we are and what we’re doing. We explained. They were pleasant to us.
15:00 We left the enclave.
15:10 Qalqilya. The checkpoint is empty. There’s a new sign in front of the checkpoint. (We left for Beit Iba, and then – )
16:45 Anabta. The checkpoint that was enlarged at the expense of olive trees, and is served by a broad, clean road, is empty. From time to time a line of 6 cars forms, but immediately disappears. The cars go through almost without inspection. At the exit they’re already selling figs (excellent).
17:00 Te’anim gate, near Jab’ara. 6 vehicles on line to enter Israel. We ask to enter Jab’ara. The soldier says he’s not allowed to let us into the village. We argue that permission has been arranged with Dana, from brigade headquarters, and that he should call battalion headquarters.
The result – we do have permission, and the guy opens the gate for us.
17:35 The “children’s gate” – 753. Finally, problems…Although the large checkpoints have been eliminated, that isn’t connected to what goes on at the small ones.
Next to the gate, on the patrol road, there’s a jeep (not from the DCO). Young men sitting and waiting next to the fence are brought over to it, one by one. When we asked what’s going on we were told – a thorough inspection…
We suspect that they’re trying to enlist collaborators.
At least that didn’t stop inspections of the other cars: Two cars connected by a rope; a donkey cart carrying a woman and a child; a pickup truck – none of them held more than a few minutes. Only one car, a Peugeot, is held a long time because one of the passengers has to be “thoroughly inspected.” Meanwhile workers returning from their jobs (not those in Israel illegally) are checked and go through one at a time. Women pass through. Finally the guy from the Peugeot arrives, gets into the car, and the car is allowed through. We weren’t informed of the results of the thorough inspection…
17:30 We return to the Jub’ara gate, and wait for it to be opened. Within 5 minutes a soldier arrives and opens it.
17:45 Irtach passage (near Tulkarm). People returning from work. No crowd, just individuals arrive and go through immediately. In answer to our question about restrictions on food, all the answers are the same – the amount of food and water is restricted. Total ban on ice – that is, on bottles with frozen water.
Two men stopped running toward the checkpoint to tell us, “Thank you for coming to help us.”
I photographed Tami playing with the slide that two of our friends made for her…
18:05 Eyal passage (near Qalqilya). I photographed the bathroom that isn’t open, and the faucet which had no water. The place is pretty empty. People arrive and hurry immediately to the checkpoint and go through.
A garden is being planted in the parking lot, for the workers’ enjoyment …
18:15 We leave.
'Anabta CP
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'Anabta CP
The checkpoint is located south of the village of 'Anabta, at the intersection of Road 60 (leading to Nablus at the entrance to Area A), with Road (57, 557, 5576) facing west towards the Einav settlement and the checkpoint at the exit from the West Bank - Figs checkpoint. Until 2010 we used to watch the intersection and report the long columns created due to a slow inspection of the vehicles in both directions.
Oct-28-2011Anabta checkpoint 24.10.11
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Eyal Checkpoint / Crossing
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Eyal Checkpoint is intended for pedestrians and Palestinians only. This is the main barrier for workers to cross from the center of the West Bank. Workers with a work permit to enter Israel can pass through it for trade, medicine, and visiting prisoners. The checkpoint was built on the Green Line north of Qalqilya in the separation barrier that surrounds the city. The checkpoint began operating in 2004 by the military. Opening hours on weekdays from 04:00 to 19:00. We started holding shifts there in 2007. We arrived at the checkpoint before it opened at 4 in the morning. We reported on the difficult conditions and the long and cramped queues of workers who must continue their journey by commuting to work throughout Israel. At the end of June 2009, the checkpoint was operated by a civil security company, The transit time has been gradually shortened, today it is faster, but the Palestinians still have to arrive very early to make it to the transportation. Usually, about 15,000 people pass through.
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Irtah (Sha'ar Efrayim)
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The checkpoint is for Palestinians only. It is the main barrier to the passage of workers from the northern West Bank to Israel. Workers with a permit to work in Israel and also for trade (with appropriate permissions), medicine, and visiting prisoners. One can cross the checkpoint only on foot. The checkpoint is located north of Road 557 and south of Tulkarm. Operated by a civil security company, opening hours: between 4:00 and 19:00 on weekdays. As members of Machsom Watch, we began our shifts to this location in 2007. We arrived before it opened at 4 in the morning and report since, on the harsh conditions and the long and crowded queues of workers. The workers who pass by continue their journey by transportation to work throughout Israel. In the first period of its activity, about 3,000 and then 5,000 people passed through this checkpoint every day. Due to the small number of checking points and arbitrary delays for long periods of time in the "rooms", workers feared losing their transportation. Hence workers leave their homes at 2:30 at night to be among the first. Today, 15,000 pass and the transition is faster. Workers are still leaving their homes very early to get past the checkpoint at 7 p.m. In an adjacent compound, there is a terminal for the transfer of goods on a commercial scale, using the back-to-back method.
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Jubara (Kafriat)
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The Jabra checkpoint was on Road 557, south of Tulkarm, on the side of the Figs Pass, which is located within the Palestinian Authority (a few kilometers east of the Green Line), and serves as an entry barrier from the territories to Israel. The checkpoint to the village of Jubara, which until 2013 was in the seam area, blocked and surrounded by a fence, was intended for the passage of the family members of the house next to the checkpoint, and also for the MachsomWatch volunteers (with special permission only), on their way to checkpoint 753. on the other side of the village. The soldiers supervising the "fig crossing" also supervised the crossing at this checkpoint, in our shifts we often waited a long time until the key was found and the gate opened. The checkpoint was abolished and became part of the separation fence that was moved west following the High Court.
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Qalqiliya checkpoint
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Qalqilya is surrounded on all sides by the separation barrier. The only exit from the city is in the east of the city on the road that leaves the city in an easterly direction. This is where the checkpoint was located. When the checkpoint was active until 2009 our shifts watched long queues of cars being inspected at the only exit from the city to the West Bank. The checkpoint was canceled, but there is a military presence at the entrance to the city.
Nina SebaAug-18-2025Azzun: Enclosed by a high fence and the gate to the village is closed
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Te'enim Crossing
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Te'enim Crossing The Figs checkpoint, located on Road 557, east of the Green Line and the Ephraim Checkpoint (Road 444), is a vehicle crossing, open 24/7 all year round. It serves the Israeli population, including those authorized to enter the Palestinian Authority. The passage of foreigners holding international passports recognized by the State of Israel is approved. In exceptional cases will the passage of a Palestinian be allowed here.
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