Eyal Crossing, Wed 17.6.09, Morning
The Checkpoint opened at 04:05.
We arrived at 04:20.
Meki reported that the checkpoint opened on time. The line is organized and quiet. 51 go in within one minute and another 206 go in within six minutes.
There is a new kiosk outside on the Israeli side.
4 inspection positions are open and for the first time we see women soldiers at the crossing.
05:45 – A soldier enters the magnometer checkpoint but the magnometer beeps and the line moves on.
An electrician earns NIS 300 per day. An unskilled worker earns NIS 150-200 per day.
We hear more and more testimonies about employers taking advantage of workers. Meki has provided the telephone to Kav LaOved: 052-5903263 – where a woman named Salwa is responsible for organization.
My mother asks where the toilets are. The soldiers will no doubt let us use them. I suggest she try her luck and she decides not to try.
We left at 5:50.
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.
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