Eyal Crossing, ‘Anabta, Deir Sharaf, Irtah (Sha’ar Efrayim), Tue 7.7.09, Afternoon
Translator: Charles K.
Barrels
Soldiers seated on both sides of the checkpoint, cars go through without inspection.
The new Anabta checkpoint
There was a long line of cars at the checkpoint when we arrived. When we came closer we saw the new, modern checkpoint in action. The soldier sits in the closed booth and communicates via a microphone with those going through. Cars are inspected randomly. A minibus is stopped, and the passengers wait off to the side. The soldier didn’t let us come near the checkpoint, saying it wasn’t a checkpoint for people to go through on foot, and even suggested we get on a bus that was waiting on line.
Irtach
No problems; the flow of people going through continues without interference.
Eyal
A long line at the checkpoint. It turned out that, according to those working there, it was closed because of security issues. They promised it would reopen in 10 minutes, but it took nearly half an hour. Meanwhile, a huge line formed. After it reopened one of the people volunteered to organize things and insure that they go through one by one and traffic flowed. Terrible crowing ensued when he stopped supervising, and the entrance was blocked, until once again they got organized and people went through in turn. After about twenty minutes the line had shortened significantly.
Workers we talked to at the checkpoint told us they arrive at 3 AM in order to get a place on line. Someone suggested that there are no delays in the morning because they want the workers to get to their jobs on time. They’re permitted to bring 4-5 pitas and one bottle of drink; they’re not allowed to bring in solids like sugar nor for the water in the bottle to be frozen.
'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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Deir Sharaf checkpoint
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Deir Sharaf checkpoint is located west of Nablus and south of the settlement of Shavei Shomron, at the entrance to the village of Deir Sharaf on the road leading to Nablus. The checkpoint was activated in early March 2009 after the Beit Iba checkpoint was closed. Palestinians are allowed through the checkpoint , but not for Israelis. Unlike the checkpoints leading to Qalqilya and Tulkarm, crossing of Israeli Palestinians is only allowed on Saturdays.
Nina SebaFeb-28-2024Deir Sharaf - the entrance to the village
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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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