Shaked, Rihan, Saturday AM, 5.11.05 Observers: Idan H, Yonat Y (reporting)07:15-09:00 07:15 Shaked: Four youths grouped by the gate, wanting, so they say, to get to Jenin, but the gate is closed and they cannot pass. There are no soldiers. We check with the nearby base, and a soldier tells us that the gate is closed by order of the battalion commander, and he doesn’t know why. Later, At Rihan checkpoint, the DCO representative explains that the gate is closed because it is intended only for schoolchildren and workers, but today is a festival and so the army doesn’t open the gate. It seems that the closed gate is unilateral, and not known to the residents, and anyway it’s not certain that they do not need to pass on festivals… 07:30 Rihan: Very light traffic of pedestrians and cars. The festival is obvious from the reduced number of people.One illegal is detained so far for more than an hour: the computer is down so the process of checking his ID is delayed.Israeli Arabs are not allowed into the Territories, and whoever did manage to get through and wants back into Israel has to undergo thorough strict examination, including the opening of all closed packages (tobacco pockets, charcoal sacks, etc.).The male drivers are being checked with the “dance” routine – raised shirt, rolled-up trousers. Women drivers are being directed to the pedestrian crossing, where a woman soldier checks them.It is quiet at the checkpoint and all around, almost to the point of illusion of tranquility and peace.