Back to reports search page

Eyal Crossing, ‘Anabta, Irtah (Sha’ar Efrayim), Tue 18.8.09, Afternoon

Place: 'Anabta CP Eyal Checkpoint / Crossing Irtah (Sha'ar Efrayim)
Tags: Crowding Hitches at checkpoints
Observers: Nava M., Bruria R (reporter
Aug-18-2009
| Afternoon
Translator: Orna B.

Anabta Checkpoint
From afar we saw that they were not checking the cars, but as soon as the soldiers saw us they started the inspections and the queue formed instantly. We understood that they were punishing the Palestinians for our presence. When we left they stopped the inspections both at the entrance and at the exit checkposts.

Irtach
During our stay at the checkpoint there was chaos. Long queues formed, there was a huge congestion because occasionally they would close the entrance  and did not let people in, and when they re-opened it they only had two check posts, at times only one. People were tired, nervous and bitter, and even called to us:"Do something!" The congestion was unbearable when a large group of women and children arrived. Although one of the people there took upon himself the role of a seer so the women were let in first, but their inspection lasted a long time and the congestion outside increased.

Twice we approached the guard outside and asked him to report to those in charge about the situation and the need to open additional check posts. Each time he promised that it would be OK. Once there was a change of shifts when we got to the place and they promised things would improve.

But when saw no improvement we phoned the head of the DCO but he was not there. Miraculously at that  moment the pressure declined. He returned our call later when there no longer need for his intervention. 
Our assumption was that the large group of women caused the congestion and that apparently they do not think it necessary in such cases to increase the manpower and the number of check posts. 
 
Eyal
There are no problems and traffic is flowing.

  • 'Anabta CP

    See all reports for this place
    • '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.  
      Anabta checkpoint 24.10.11
      Oct-28-2011
      Anabta checkpoint 24.10.11
      View the full album

  • Eyal Checkpoint / Crossing

    See all reports for this place
    •   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.

  • Irtah (Sha'ar Efrayim)

    See all reports for this place
    • 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.  
Donate