Rihan, Tuesday, August 16, 2005, AMObservers: Yocheved G., Chassida S. (reporting)07:45 – 9:30 The atmosphere is tense. Closure. Passage of goods is at the old Barta’a checkpoint.At the entrance to the Rihan settlement we witnessed a surreal scene; Soldiers wrapped in prayer shawls, signs reading “checkpoint” in the middle of the road and forked sticks on the road.A large taxi with a Palestinian plate is being inspected. Our car together with other Israeli cars were allowed to proceed with no delays. It is convenient but not so pleasant to be considered ‘lords of the land’.Before arriving at the new road to Barta’a there was another temporary checkpoint, manned by officers, the most senior of whom was a major. We stopped, put on the MW tags as well as the flag on the car and introduced ourselves. They wouldn’t let us through until they made inquiries as to our status. In the end we were allowed to walk to the pedestrian inspection post. Our car wasn’t allowed to go further.There were many soldiers at the CP. Commander A. was pleasant and updated us on instructions for the coming days: Israelis can’t go into the West Bank except for residents of Homesh, Hermesh and Mevo-Dotan. The security officer of Mevo-Dotan helps the soldiers distinguish between residents and those who try to infiltrate. This is based on the experience of the Gaza strip area and after the settlement of Sa-Nur was filled with infiltrators who oppose the disengagement. Goods are transferred at the old Barta’a checkpoint. We wanted to go there but weren’t permitted.We walked through the waiting shed at the pedestrian passage. There were no detainees inside the pen. The few people who arrived at the post held the proper papers and went through following the inspection. With them were residents of the seam-line zone as well as farmers.We met a man with three women, all well attired. He tried to drive the women through in his car from Ya’abed to Um al-Rihan, apparently by the Shaked gate, close to his home, but he was banned from doing so. He and the women were forced to leave the car behind and walk to the Rihan CP. The women went through and he went back.We went up to the Palestinian’s car park area. The two coffee kids had escorted us, begging us to drink more and more coffee.