Reihan, Shaked, Sun 18.9.11, Afternoon

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Observers: 
Yochi U., Ruti T. (Reporting)
Sep-18-2011
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Afternoon

Translation: Bracha B.A.                      

13:15-15:15

13:15 – Shaked Tura Checkpoint
As we expected, the checkpoint is empty and things are uneventful.  Suddenly a woman from the military police runs and closes the gate until only a 

narrow part is open.  She shouts to us not to worry, and that this is only an exercise.  Soon the exercise is in full swing: a lot of military vehicles arrive, soldiers with protective gear an "injured" soldier receives first aid from a medic, and there are smoke grenades and even a small fire in a nearby field.

 

We photograph everything and no one stops us.  At 14:15 the checkpoint opens and some 14-year-old students cross from the other side.  Men and women cross from our side.  Several vehicles cross in both directions.  IN a few minutes the checkpoint is quiet again and the soldiers convene in the center for debriefing after the exercise.

14:30 – Reihan Barta'a Checkpoint
The lower parking lot is completely full.  Many of the drivers park in the area designated for busses in order to avoid having their cars blocked in, and this makes even less room.  There are six vehicles waiting to be checked and a truck waiting on the road.  There are a few taxis in the upper parking lot.  A few workers arrive and the seamstresses arrive a little before 15:00.  Passengers from a taxi that is being checked are waiting on the bench at the entrance to the sleeveinfo-icon.  One of them claims they have been waiting there for an hour and asks, "Is if OK that there is a checkpoint here?"  Nothing is OK!"  he complains.   

We drove to visit the old Barta'a checkpoint.  The gate was locked and there was a sign on the gate but nothing was written about opening hours.  A security vehicle drives by along the separation fence.