Baka, Bartaa, Shaked 29/2/2004, A.M Tami S., Anat S., Yehudit Z., a guest, Shula B. (reporting) Baka el Gharabiye. The gap in the wall had closed; now the crossing is through a gate, and only available to the “Masters of the Earth” and those with a special license. The workmen who used to cross at the former Kafin CP to get to their jobs in Israel (30 minutes tops) are requested to go over to the Bartaa or the Jalamee (via Jenin) checkpoints so as to get to Hadera (a huge detour, impossible to get there on time). The problem at Nazlat ‘Isa: 8 house owners, who remained living on the west of the wall, were asked to come to the DCO so as to negotiate the level of compensation for their houses, should they agree to relinquish those behind whilst going to join their families east of the wall. THEY CAN WAIT, WE WONT COME. WHO’S MAD ENOUGH TO GIVE UP THEIR HOME? AND ANYWAY: WHOEVER WAITS PATIENTLY ENOUGH HIS LAND RETURNS TO HIM. Bartaa. We heard that yesterday they had a serious affray, since on Saturdays usually the place is immensely crowded, packed with Israeli Arabs trying to cross east to visit their relations who live in the local villages. On their return west, cars and passengers are searched thoroughly and therefore the queue goes on for hours. Although they double the CP team on Saturdays, it’s nowhere near enough to solve the unbelievable traffic jam.Sunday noon the queue is short and the pace efficient. When you ask the drivers how long they have been waiting, you get varied replies, mostly consisting of exaggeration. A policeman in blue does the “who are you where do you come from” routine with us and in a lengthy soliloquy explains his credo. We did not do much at this CP, but as we drove back across Bartaa, people salute, give the “thumbs up” sign and smile. Shaked. we were told not to bother about Shaked CP, nothing to do there. We went nonetheless. It transpires that this CP serves, beside the Masters (who scrutinise us in hostility), only the inhabitants of 3 small villages, stuck in the enclave between the “seanline” and the fence, altogether some 400 people. A young girl stands on the east side of the CP. Her friends, who crossed earlier, tell us that she has been held back because her ID card photo does not match her face. A soldier says: SHE COULD NOT ANSWER BASIC QUESTIONS ABOUT THE VILLAGE. ONLY IF HER FATHER COMES, he says, WILL SHE BE ALLOWED TO GO. She, meanwhile, walks away, crying, and disappears down the road where it curves. 15 minutes later her father appears. GO AND GET HER AND THEN WE’LL LET HER CROSS. The father returns to the western gate, comes with his yellow Subaru, crosses east, collects the daughter, returns to the roadblock; he and his daughter are allowed to cross without further ado.One of the soldiers said to us, quietly on the side (whilst his friend warned him from some distance: we were told not to talk to them…): Kol hakavod to you [meaning more or less: well done!]. You should know however that we are just the small-time soldiers who shovel and get all the shit. Our commanders here treat us badly, so no wonder that there are some who come to the CP rather nervous, and take it out on the Palestinians. Write this on your website.On the eastside of the roadblock stands a detainee, Muhammad Alchatir from the Zahar El Malach village. His wife and children crossed an hour ago to their village, to their home, yet he was detained. His permit is from February 2002, he works in Ramallah, building the security wall (!), comes home only on weekends (not always), can’t get a license/permit, he’s told to go to and from one DCO to another and back again. We phone Hason, Salem DCO commander. He claims that the guy is under “committee” yet asked for his phone number.Later Muhammad rings to say that Hason spoke to him and told him to come tomorrow. And what will you do today? We ask. SINCE I CAN`T CROSS TODAY I`LL STAY THE NIGHT AT MY FRIEND`S IN THE OTHER VILLAGE AND TOMORROW I`LL GO TO SALEM. Tomorrow we’ll check. (thanks to Vera for the translation)