Jalama, Rihan, Shaked, Wednesday, July 6, 2005, AMObservers: Ana N.-S. , Rachel H. , Netta G. (reporting)Jalama, 0600 – 0715Drivers have been waiting since 6:00, but workers are not out yet. The checkpoint opens at 6:10. About 80 people are in the shed, angry that the CP wasn’t opened as early as 5:00 a.m., as stated in their work permits. They complain that CP 250 opens around 6:15 and therefore they are required to take a long detour which make the trip more expensive, if they wish to get to Jalama on time.From time to time, the passage of pedestrians is halted to allow a military vehicle through. Passage was also blocked to people crossing to the opposite direction, from Israel to Jenin. Those wishing to cross were lecturers from the Arab-American university near Jenin.On our way back from the shed, the soldier at the guard post sent us to go through the sleeve to be inspected just like the Palestinians, because: “Maybe something was installed in your bags, without your noticing,” We waited for 20 minutes before we took advantage of our extra rights and asked the female Military Police soldier to inspect us and let us through.Shaked gate, 0755 – 0800We arrived at the gate shortly before it was closed. Soldiers told us that those allowed passage had already gone through. We asked them to see to it that the opening hours are posted on the gate. Hopefully we’ll see it done on our next shift, in a week’s time.Rihan, 0810 – 09:30Very little traffic of vehicles at this checkpoint.At the entrance to the sleeve for pedestrians, a roadblock is installed for vehicles going into the West Bank. Inside the sleeve we meet a couple with their young son returning to Israel. The mother is an Israeli from West Baka while the father is a Palestinian who lives in Israel with a court’s permission. This permit does not allow him to go to the West Bank and return as he wishes. He is allowed to visit his family in the Jenin vicinity using his agriculture permit. Luckily he owns some land in the seam-line zone. Prior to obtaining that agriculture permit he hadn’t seen his parents, who live so close by, for 8 months.The pedestrian passage has improved significantly. Now there are separate entry and exit gates. The concrete blocks were improved as well, and now there are “lying” concrete blocks defining the road leading to the gate, on the ground, before the “standing” concrete blocks.Hassan had cleaned the locked parking lot.A man holding an entry permit was sent “as usual” to Jalama.Drivers were asked to park their cars at a distance from the inspection post. Soldiers do not ask drivers to do the “dance” (lifting their shirts, opening the pants, etc.) any more.As we returned to the parking lot, near the new road to Barta’a we asked Palestinian drivers why they wait by the side of the road and at the car park area. We were told that this was a military car park. Apparently we’re considered army as well.