Tarqumiya, Thu 21.2.08, Morning
Tarquimiya Checkpost
We arrived at the checkpost at 5:45 A.M. and were pleasantly surprised to see that there were very few workers waiting in line. Groups of workers kept arriving and passing through the checkpost in about 5 minutes. We attempted to analyze the reason for the difference (the soldiers were uncommunicative this morning).
We came to the conclusion that a simple change in the checking procedure seemed to be making all the difference: instead of having the workers put their papers into the slot in the concrete checkpost, they were allowed to pass their papers directly through the open windows. This allowed the soldiers inside the checkpost to examine the papers without having to leaf through looking for the correct page. There were only two soldiers inside the checkpost and another outside checking the workers’ bags.
The workers were in a good mood but asked us to have observers at the checkpost on Sunday mornings, since this is the most difficult day for them.
Tarqumiya CP
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The Tarqumiya Checkpoint is one of the largest and busiest checkpoints where people and goods cross into Israel. It is located on the Separation Barrier close to the Green Line, on Road 35 (connecting Beer Sheva and Hebron). It is run by the Israel Defense Ministry’s Crossings Administration with civilian secuirty companies running the day to day operations. The checkpoint is indeed open to vehicles in both directions 24/7, but Palestinians are prevented from crossing in vehicles, except in special cases. MachsomWatch activists visit the checkpoint as it opens at 3:45 am, in order to observe the daily passage of nearly 10,000 Palestinian workers. The workers arrive from throughout the Southern West Bank. Our activists report on the tremendous overcrowding at this checkpoint; they have observed young men climbing and scrambling on the fences and roofs of the ‘access cages’. This is how the work day begins for those who ‘build the land of Israel’. updated November 2019
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