Reihan, Shaked, Sun 4.3.12, Morning
Translation: Bracha B.A.
06:05-06:55 Reihan-Barta'a Checkpoint
Today women are quickly crossing through the terminal. "Today everything is OK. It takes five minutes." Men emerge fastening their belts. They report that things were difficult last week and they only got out after 07:00. There are eight loaded vans waiting on the road to be checked. Someone asks us to help eliminate a "police ban" [to enter Israel] from 2006 and we advise him the best we can.
07:00-07:30 – Shaked-Tura Checkpoint
The soldiers arrived precisely at 07:00 and the checkpoint opened two minutes later. The school bags belonging to the children who arrive on foot from the nearby village of Dar al Malakh are checked by a woman soldier, with no help from the armed male soldier standing next to her, and by 07:10 they are already on the other side, in Tura. The school principal finally crossed after being made to go back twice and start his old car, while the elegant banker crossed immediately in his new car.
Only a few people crossed this morning. It is very cold and the fields are muddy. The farmers are no doubt happy with the rain that fell over the weekend but had not choice today but to remain at home. A worker who works in the Shahak Industrial zone asks that the checkpoint be opened at 06:00, because at 07:00 he is delayed while schoolchildren, teachers, and students are crossing.
We returned to Reihan Barta'a Checkpoint to pick up H. and his son and take them to Rambam Hospital. At 07:30 there were van emerging from the inspection facility on their way to Barta'a.