Sansana, Thu 27.12.07, Morning
Arrived at 6:10. The passage was open. According to Shlomi (the “boss”) the passage is opened every day at 4:30, and about 700 have already passed through. According to the Palestinians, it was opened today only at 5:10 (there were about 300 more waiting in the sheds).
On the whole the passage is very slow, because the Palestinians have to take off their coats, hats, belts and shoes, put them on “trays” to be checked electronically (as we were told) and hand in their different certificates to be checked at the “windows”. All this slows down the tempo. We were told that two more “windows” are to be added soon, so the check up will be more efficient. In the meantime the Palestinians are very bitter, and ironically enough, miss the soldiers, who did not ask them to take off anything and allowed them to carry into Israel their cans of water.
The Palestinians are very embittered, and though the girls at the “windows” are very polite towards them, the slow process of passing through causes hard feelings and many problems among the waiting people in the sheds. We also saw that trained dogs were added to search for explosives, mostly in cars (so we were told).
Meitar checkpoint / Sansana
See all reports for this place-
Meitar Checkpoint / Sansana The checkpoint is located on the Green Line and serves as a border crossing between Israel and the West Bank. It is managed by the Border Crossing Authority of the Defense Ministry. It is comprised of sections for the transfer of goods as well as a vehicle checkpoint (intended for holders of blue identity cards, foreign nationals or diplomats and international organizations). Passing of Palestinians is prohibited, except for those with entry permits to Israel. Palestinians are permitted to cross on foot only. The crossing has a DCO / DCL / DCL / DCL (District Coordination Office), a customs unit, supervision, and a police unit. In the last year, a breach has been opened in the fence, not far from the crossing. This breach is known to all, including the army. There does not appear to be any interest in blocking it, probably as it permits needed Palestinian workers without the bureaucratic permits to get to work in Israel. Food stalls and a parking area economy have been created, but incidents of violent abuse by border police have also been recorded. Updated April 2022
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