'Anin, Mevo Dotan (Imriha), Reihan, Shaked, Mon 11.10.10, Morning
Translator: Charles K.
05:20 A’anin checkpoint
We wanted to reach the checkpoint when it opens during the olive harvest season, at 05:30, and arrived a little early. A., the DCO representative, already waited in front of the locked gate and another vehicle waited between the fences. Two more military cars arrived, opened the gate, and locked it again.
05:45 A soldier opens the gates
15 minutes late. The first tractor and a person on foot go through. They say that about 50 people are waiting. One person says a resident of Umm el Fahm stole olives from his grove.
Major M. from the DCO approaches us with N., a female officer. People complain that members of their family didn’t receive permits. M. says that not all the permits have been issued yet. About 1000 more permits will be issued for the olive harvest in the Jenin sub-district, many for A’anin residents. He says that if a farmer’s crops have been stolen he should call the DCO and they’ll send the police immediately.
Two youths weren’t allowed to cross. M. says that during the olive harvest season youths aged 12-16 are allowed to cross with a parent, like children under 12. At other times they need a permit.
06:40 We’re told that about 15 people are waiting.
M. shows us the gate-opening schedule during the olive harvest season:
A’anin checkpoint (Gate 214) 05:30-07:00, 15:00-16:30
Taibe-Rumana checkpoint (Gate 154) 06:00-06:30, 15:30-16:00
Shaked-Tura checkpoint (Gate 300) 06:00-09:00, 12:00-19:30
06:50 Reihan checkpoint
About 20 workers from Shahak sit on the curb next to the seam zone waiting for their ride, which is still being inspected.
07:00 Hermesh checkpoint
We wanted to reach the checkpoint at a time where in previous weeks we were told there were delays. On the way we saw, as usual, the locked gates on the “bridge.” They haven’t been opened as part of the “loosened restrictions.” The Hermesh checkpoint is open and not manned, traffic is light. A military vehicle stops next to us, afraid we intend to continue to Area A. Later A., the driver, tells us that lately the checkpoint has been opened 24 hours a day.
07:10 Dothan checkpoint
The checkpoint is open and manned. About ten cars waiting to cross from Jenin and four in the opposite direction. Some of the cars coming from the direction of Jenin are inspected. One is detained. Cars going toward Jenin cross without being checked. After about ten minutes, the car that had been detained goes through.
07:30 Reihan checkpoint
The Palestinian parking lot is already almost full at this hour. A group of pickup trucks waits for inspection in front of the vehicle checkpoint. Four cars wait at the upper vehicle checkpoint on their way to the West Bank.
07:50 Shaked-Tura checkpoint
Almost no traffic at this hour. The new opening hours are, “of course,” not listed on the gate to the checkpoint.
08:05 We left the checkpoint and gave a ride to Dahar al-Malik, who opened a restaurant two days ago in eastern Barta’a. Wants peace, misses the time when he worked in Israel. Invested all his savings in the restaurant. We wished him a great deal of luck.