Reihan, Shaked, Tue 22.3.11, Morning
Translated by Yael S.
06:00 (the new)Reihan-Barta'a checkpoint
The last workers of the SHAHAK industrial zone, by the Shaked settlement, as well as the seamstress, come out of the terminal on their way to work, going from the West Bank into the Seam Line zone.
On the road there are pickup trucks awaiting inspection, workers get into the terminal from the Palestinian car park in small groups without waiting.
06:30- The first three small trucks drive into the intermediate checkpoint and hand down their papers to the security guard. Shortly after that they are joined by two private vehicles. A number of small trucks with agriculture merchandise stand at the parking lot, they would wait there for a long time before being called for inspection.
On our way out of the checkpoint area we meet a number of people who are employed at Sh"hak, and are waiting transportation. People are tired, and in despair, they describe their working conditions that are hard to bare, a low salary that is not sufficient to care for their families, they complain of a cynical exploitation of their weakness and their fear of complaining in an attempt to better their conditions.
We wonder whom we can turn to for help without disclosing the complainers, which might even worsen they situation.
07:00 Shaked-Tura checkpoint
Soldiers open the gate at this very moment.
On the side of the West Bank there are 25 people wait. With in, a minute they'll be joined by the Sheppard and his tens of the blue eyes sheep. In the mean time no one crosses over.
A soldier approaches those waiting and lines them up and:"one by one". Its been a while since we've last heard that. We also hear some nervous voices from that direction.
A soldier calls his peer "come and help me". Apparently there is no great love between the two sides.
At the open inspection cabin we see a soldier with a pointed gun to the direction of the Seam Line zone. In a moment like a mechanic manikin he'd change position towards the West Bank and vices versa.
Children arrive on site followed by the adults.
All cross the checkpoint by the low concrete wall, they go by the soldiers with their open school bags.
One of those going through tells us that about agriculture passage permits that are now given out in a measured fashion only every three or four months.
We are also informed of sour that flows from the army base in the direction of the olive grove and of many complaints regarding this that has remained un answered.
07:45- We left.