Rihan, Sunday, June 5, 2005, PMObserving and reporting: Mara. Guest: Bat-Sheva Z.15:30 -17:00We arrived at the checkpoint and at the entrance we noticed that the soldiers have a new toy – a loudspeaker. Every few minutes one can hear remarks about a car, or regarding a person. Instructions are given as to where people should or shouldn’t go, in Hebrew of course (“they understand”), with added remarks such as: “How many times do we need to tell you?”, and finally: “Rooch,” in fluent Arabic.As we got closer, we found out that cars are now parked at a distance from the inspection post. 15 cars were waiting in line; average waiting period is about half an hour. Drivers who got out of their cars for a smoke and small talk with their peers, were scolded: “Get away from the security wall and wait in your parking area.” Meaning the car park area at the far end behind the bridge.Inside the pen we found two detainees, one of them from Barta’a who wanted to go home. The other one tried explaining something about his sick wife who was hospitalized (for those who don’t believe Palestinians, one should keep in mind that nowadays, the only people who show up at the checkpoints are people with problems). The gentleman tried to explain his predicament to the female soldier, and according to him, she told him: ”Go fuck.” As we were speaking to him, a soldier came over asking if there were problems, does he have complaints? “No, all is well,” said the detainee to the soldier.The atmosphere on site was so aggressive, that I didn’t exchange even one word with the soldiers.We noticed the presence of the blue (civilian) police on site, throughout our entire shift. The use of the loudspeaker went on at all times.