Eyal passage and the checkpoints of Nablus, Wednesday 28.02.2007 amObservers: Netty A, Marcella K, Rina Z (reporting) Netanya translating 6.45 Eyal Passage.In the parking area and around were 10s of workers who had been checked and many cars waiting to pick them up even though it was already late. They told us that they arrive between 4.30 -4.45 and only now have they exited, and that on the other side were workers who had not yet even entered the installation. One of the workers said his Israeli employer had not waited for him and had gone back to Netanya. They said that today 3 turnstiles had been open for part of the time which is laudable but still the length of time of checking was not reasonable. Hard working people leave home at 3.00, some of them from Nablus and even the Jordan valley, and at 7 .00 have still not started their working day.From speaking to the people we understood that there are two main problems. 1.Many people arrive in the early hours of the morning so as to get a place in the line. There is pressure and sometimes fighting and whoever has the most strength is first in line. We met one of those who did not know how to push and who got through only after 7.00 although he had arrived at 4.00am. At Irtach there are low fences to keep the lines in front of the outside gate, like those that are in front of the booths at the movies. 2.The main problem is that the checking is very slow and is done by soldiers and not as at the Ephraim crossing (Irtach) where there are civilians doing the checking. The soldiers are often changed so that they do not have the experience and the efficiency and this is also not their primary duty.The workers mentioned the name of Halabi saying that when he was present, he speeded up the checking. 7.30 Ar RasNew soldiers who check very slowly. An old couple come in a cart drawn by a horse and are checked very thoroughly. Many people prefer to leave the cars which have brought them from Tulkarm and to walk a couple of 100 meters on foot to be checked, and then take a taxi on the other side. Amongst them is a woman with a baby and another with two small children and parcels. For some reason anyone coming by car has to leave the car, be checked and then is allowed on their way and all this takes time. Today there are no limitations of passage in either direction.10.00 Anabta (Einav)Returning from Beit Iba. The commander says there are no limitations of age today and Israeli vehicles can also pass. There is random checking in both directions, about one in 10 cars. This is an improvement. From the direction of Tulkarm to the turn in the road, are about 20 cars. One driver said he waited an hour. An Israeli car which tried to bypass had to stand on the side as punishment.We leave at 10 30.