Eyal Crossing, ‘Anabta, Irtah (Sha’ar Efrayim), Qalqiliya, Tue 14.7.09, Afternoon
Translation: Bracha B.A.
14:15 – Qalqilya
Traffic is moving freely to and from Qalqilya. A crane is lifting the concrete blocks that are on the road onto a truck. It is a pleasure to watch the checkpoint being dismantled.
Anabta – 14:55
The new checkpoint is now in full operation. Traffic is moving in both directions. Cars are not being stopped at the checkpoint. The checkpoint is not meant for pedestrians. If pedestrians arrive they have to hitch a ride and pass through the checkpoint in a car (according to the checkpoint commander). Suspicious cars are checked in a side lane in order not to block the flow of traffic. There were no lines throughout the time we were there.
The checkpoint was running “marvelously”. It is quiet, clean, and well taken care of. Soldiers are inside their air-conditioned booths, but there is something extremely unpleasant and threatening in this sterile atmosphere.
Traffic was flowing and we left at 15:10.
15:20 – Te’enim Gate
We waited about 15 minutes in two lines of cars with yellow license plates to be checked at the entry gates to Israel while the settlers bypass the line quickly. During the time we were waiting small children knocked on the windows begging or trying to sell trinkets. I am familiar with this from previous visits but the children have become more aggressive and remind me of children in India and other poverty–stricken countries. The soldiers say that they do not have permission to let us enter Jubara. We did not try to call and get permission since we wanted to manage to get to Eyal and Irtah.
Sha’ar Ephraim – Irtah 15:45
There is no line. People arrive and go directly inside, where there is a short line. One of the workers says that it’s pity we weren’t’ there yesterday because things were not running smoothly.
When we arrived there was a line of about 20 people. The workers complained that only one inspection window was open. After several minutes another one opened. “It’s only because you’re here…”
Other workers tell us that yesterday the entire lot was full of people standing outside in the sun and it was very hot.
16:00 – There are almost no people and we left for Eyal.
Eyal Crossing – 16:30
Someone in a van is parked in the lot, selling Passover cookies to workers. Lots of them are buying them(!?). Here too people are moving through quickly. There is no lineup and everyone is grateful to us for coming.
17:00 – We left.
'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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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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Qalqiliya checkpoint
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Qalqilya is surrounded on all sides by the separation barrier. The only exit from the city is in the east of the city on the road that leaves the city in an easterly direction. This is where the checkpoint was located. When the checkpoint was active until 2009 our shifts watched long queues of cars being inspected at the only exit from the city to the West Bank. The checkpoint was canceled, but there is a military presence at the entrance to the city.
Nina SebaAug-18-2025Azzun: Enclosed by a high fence and the gate to the village is closed
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