Irtah, Jubara, Ar-Ras, Anabta – Thursday AM, 01 June 2006 Watchers: Hadasa, Esti, Ruthy6:50 IrtahThe parking lot was full of cars waiting to take day laborers [to their places of work]. According to the ones who passed the check, the gate had been opened at 6:00 instead of 5:00. Out of four checking stations only one was operating, that caused a delay with people having to wait at least one hour in line or in the checking rooms. According to the ones who passed, the people are directed into a small checking room that becomes crowded and full. Until they manage to get to the checking station, they’ve already waited in line for an hour, and that procedure applies also to the ones with permits who has been waiting since 5:00. Then after they manage to pass the check, angry and embittered, some of them realize that the contractors that came to pick them up didn’t wait and had left without them. They address us and ask for our help that the gate will be opened every morning at 5:00 AMas it’s supposed to. Another problem is the return. They tell us that the gate are supposed to be kept open continuously until its closing time, but in practice that doesn’t happen. The soldiers wait until dozens of people have gathered before they open it, so the return is also a torture for them. Yesterday we were told that the gate was closed at 17:30.7:20, Jubara- Ar-RasThe checkpoint is dusty and dirty, with the remains of bonfires, it’s early in the morning and it’s already hot and humid and every car that comes by raises plumes of dust that makes the place unbearable. The soldiers don’t talk to us, they don’t even respond to our “good morning” greetings. There is line of 10 cars on each side, the checking is very meticulous, and all the men are asked to step out of the taxis that brought them to the checkpoint.The passengers are checked one by one, the men are asked to take off shirts and undershirts, the [soldiers’] weapons are drawn, and we are shivering.7:45, AnabtaThere is line of 12 cars on each side. The soldiers are trying to do the checking as quickly as possible in order to reduce the pressure. Cars that try to cut in line are being turned back, even if they belong to the U.N.