Reihan, Shaked, Wed 30.3.11, Morning

Translated by Yael S.

07:45  Shaked-Tura checkpoint  

 Along with us, two more cars arrived on site from both sides. Drove through.A woman with a baby buggy walk in the direction of the West Bank. A herd of sheep and its shepherd went through, as usual into the Seam Line zone.

Innovation on site: the post of the observing soldier had been elevated on four concrete blocks.

09:00 Reihan-Barta'a checkpoint

Four trucks waited for inspection. Two cars waited at the upper car inspection post, for passage into the West Bank. The passengers crossed over by sliding their magnetic cards. There were "no problems" inside the terminal.

A van was parked at the side of the road. It belongs to the Palestinian Authority Medical Services. We were under the impression that they were waiting for somebody. After half an hour we walked over to inquire; it turned out that there were nurses and doctors who hold passage permits to the Seam Line zone but there was no permit for the vehicle. They did not turn to the Israeli DCO  but rather to a department at the PA that had sent them over. After another fifteen minutes we called the DCO explaining that the medical team cannot cross without their vehicle and the medical equipment inside it. The story was familiar to the DCO and said they'd allow them to drive through. in the meantime another car had "cut" them on the way for inspection.

We called Sharon, the checkpoint manager. His reply was that even when traveling abroad one must wait. He added that he'd had it with our constant criticism.

10:30 The medical team and their car had crossed over. and we left.