Reihan, Shaked, Thu 10.3.11, Morning

Translation: Bracha B.A.

106:55 – A'anin Checkpoint

The gates open at 06:00.  By 06:05 three people had crossed, and reported that there were another ten people, but no one came out.  We entered the center of the checkpoint to see what was going on and the soldiers asked us to move back.  We asked them if there was anyone else there and they asked who would bother coming out after such a rainy and stormy night. 

06:35 – Mevo Dotan Checkpoint

The checkpoint was not manned.  The charcoal burners along the way were clean and no fires burned after the wet night.

06:45 – Reihan – Barta'a Checkpoint

There are a few cars in the southern parking lot on the West Bank side and five vans with merchandise.  We saw two of them on our way to Mevo Dotan.  There is no one at the entrance gate.  Workers are ascending the sleeve towards the parking lot on the seamline zone side where the vans are waiting to take them to work.

06:55 Shaked-Tura Checkpoint

The principal of the Yaabed school is already waiting at the gate in his car.  The soldiers arrive at 7:02. After 5 minutes they open the back gate, which faces the West Bank. At 7:15 the principal is invited to enter. He leaves his car in front of the concrete blocks and goes to the inspection booth with four high-school students. The students finally pass by the soldiers next to the bright white concrete blocks. About twenty people are gathered around the turnstile.  The second car enters to be checked at 7:20.  The driver emerges from the inspection booth and calls: "Yalla!"  ("Come on!") to the soldiers, who are in no hurry and are taking their time checking his car.  Five minutes later the banker's car enters, and he emerges a few minutes later fastening his belt. 

At 07:30 the next car enters the checkpoint – a transit filled with children.  By 07:30 everyone has gone through and the area around the turnstile is empty.  Two teachers from Barta'a who have been waiting for their ride are finally picked up at 07:45.