Reihan, Shaked, Sun 11.3.12, Afternoon
Translator: Charles K.
15:00 Shaked/Tura checkpoint
A truck carrying an injured horse stands at the checkpoint. The veterinarian does everything he can to convince the soldiers to allow him to bring it through for an operation in Jenin. The soldiers say that the horse goes back and forth daily with various excuses. At a certain point the soldier agrees, says he’ll let the horse through but he won’t let it come back. He finally consents; the veterinarian will be permitted to bring the horse back, on condition he provides an official document from the Jenin veterinary hospital.
Light, but constant, vehicle traffic in both directions.
Two soldiers and a female MP express interest in what we’re doing. They’ve heard that we badmouth the soldiers. We suggest they read the reports on our website. We’re continually amazed by how little awareness they have of the anomalous nature of life under occupation. As far as they’re concerned, there’s no occupation, and we must keep pointing out to them the location of the fence, compared with the route of the international border. The MP proposes that the inhabitants of Dahr al-Malk should simply move to their homes in Tura, thereby saving themselves the checkpoint’s inconvenience… No, they really don’t need their homes and land in the seam zone. We always end these conversations by saying that we’re not against them, as soldiers; we’re against the occupation. They’re always amazed when we call ourselves patriots.
16:20 Reihan/Barta’a checkpoint
We’re not allowed to cross to the lower parking lot; we’re detained until the operations officer arrives. It takes ten minutes for Ma’or to show up and explain the reason for the delay. Again “the incident” is referred to, in which he claims one of our colleagues taped the security personnel, and he politely asks us to adhere to the “rules.” We promise, and are allowed through. The parking lot on the Palestinian side is so crowded that it’s impossible to enter. Eight loaded trucks stand on the roadside across the way, waiting to be inspected tomorrow morning. We turn around and want to return to the upper parking lot, and are detained again until an armed guard comes to peek into the trunk of our car.
16:45 We walk down the fenced corridor to the terminal. The revolving gate is open; laborers returning from work go through quickly. Two booths are open. Most people are returning to the West Bank, a few to the seam zone.
17:00 We leave.