Jalama, Rihan, Monday, July 4, 2005, AMObservers: Hana H, Leah R, (reporting)Jalama, 06:00-7:30The checkpoint is closed. A telephone call to the District Coordination Office in Jenin helped, and the checkpoint opened at 6:15. They claim that there were extenuating circumstances. A bus full of people arrives from the Israeli side, mainly women with small children. It turns out that the passengers were illegal sojourners who had been working in Tamra and were caught. It was hard to understand whom they were bothering. People in the parking lot told us that most of them were married to men who could not get entry permits. These are not terrorists, but hungry people. People approach us and complain of the growing economic distress. They say that they have no food. The workers ask to have the checkpoint opened at 5 a.m., as is written in their permits. Suddenly, the gate was closed. It seems that the soldiers thought we had left. We approached them and the checkpoint was reopened. The gate was closed to allow a military vehicle to cross, but it lasted too long. Rihan, 08:15 – 09:45 There are few people. The soldiers say that most of the crossers come from Nablus in the morning, and that the checkpoint opened at 5 a.m.A family with a disabled father arrives, but their vehicle cannot get close to the pedestrian gate because the parking lot is blocked off. We approached the distant parking lot on the Palestinian side. There is congestion and drivers are fighting due to a car that cut into line.People complain that it is impossible to obtain permits. They say that the lines at the District Coordination Office at Salem are very long and the travel and postage costs are great. A permit is valid for only a short time and then the harassment begins again.On the Israeli side, next to the pedestrian walkway opening, stands a transit van full of women. One of them does not feel well. The driver is coordinating with the female solider, who, according to him, has delayed him for a long time. The soldiers order him to wait quietly inside the vehicle. It is very hot. Another vehicle arrives, and in the end, the van’s passengers are permitted to cross. Our impression is that our presence is important, influential, and appreciated by Palestinians. There is increasing physical and economic distress and desperation is growing.