'Azzun 'Atma, Thu 5.11.09, Morning

'Azzun 'Atma

  The 'Azzun 'Atma checkpoint has been transformed into a border crossing.

 06:20, Workers wanting to leave 'Azzun 'Atma wait in the wire-fenced sleeve. There are very few waiting.  Two soldiers are manning the checkpoint.  A Military Policewoman sits inside the booth. The soldiers copy the ID number from every ID card onto a sheet of paper.  They say that, after the rush hour, they will transmit all the information to the computer.  In this way, they know, so they say, who the workers were who went out today for work and who actually return in the evening.  Whoever does not return through the inspection point on the way home will lose his exit permit.  They feel that since this is the gate to Israel, they must behave as though they are on the international border.