Shaked, Barta`a, Tuesday, September 13, 2005, AMObservers: Yocheved G., Hassida Sh. (reporting)07.40-10.30ShakedSchool children pass through to schools in the West Bank, in groups of four, according to the list the soldiers are holding. Their passage permits and school bags are quickly inspected and the next four are summoned. On the other side of the barrier civilians who want to cross over from the West Bank to the seam line zone are waiting – an elderly man and a number of young women, some holding children in their arms. However, their permits are valid only for Barta’a and the soldiers refuse to let them pass through. The same applies to the old man with the donkey who comes by daily and whose destination is right across the gate.A second lieutenant and his soldiers were happy to talk to us and even agreed to adopt the “min fadalak” (please, in Arabic) that Yocheved taught them.By the road on the way to the Rihan checkpoint large trucks are depositing the remains of buildings from the settlements of Sa-nur and Homesh. Another ugly addition to the pastoral landscape.Barta’aWe meet with an elderly widow, born in Um al-Fahem, who was married 30 years ago to a Jenin resident and holds an Israeli identity card, as do her sons. She would like to return to her birthplace, but life in Israel is far more expensive than in Jenin.A young Israeli woman who studies physical therapy at the Jenin University requests permission to cross over in order to pick up her certificate, but she is unable to do so due to the closure.On the Palestinian side there is a line of more than 10 cars. The inspections are quick and efficient, everybody knows everybody, and the atmosphere is good, although not everyone is allowed across. A resident of Barta’a ordered some furniture and was waiting for the vehicle transporting it. He said he had permission from the District Coordination Office (DCO) to transfer the furniture. The soldiers checked with the DCO but did not get approval. The man returned home without the furniture.We spoke with the soldiers; apparently they read the reports on our site. They are pleased with the praise and offended at the criticism, which is unjust in their opinion.