Reihan, Shaked, Sun 22.4.12, Afternoon

Translation: Bracha B.A.

15:45-17:30

15:45 – Shaked Tura Checkpoint

A woman arriving from the West Bank gazes at the poles that have been built at the checkpoint.  We look at them together and I tell her that they are building the Tura Castle.  She claims is the Dar Al Malak Castle and we both laugh.  There are four elaborate pillars arranged in a rectangle with wooden poles like old telephone poles.  Palestinian workers are laying new curbstones.  Most of the people coming through the checkpoint are women and children.   At this time of day drivers merely show their green ID cards and drive through without being checked.  Pedestrians must go through the inspection room.  I give a lift to a woman and child going to Um Reihan.

 16:35 – Reihan Barta'a Checkpoint

Three women, one of them a driver, arrive with a disabled man.  They help him get out of the car and seat him in his wheelchair.   Two of them leave the man with his weary wife and leave the checkpoint.  I suggest that they try to get through the vehicle checkpoint rather than take the long way through the terminal.   After a phone call they are given permission and cross quickly.  A young man is permitted to help them on the condition that he returns through the terminal.  .The entire sleeve is now covered with a roof. 

There is no crowding at the entrance to the terminal and people arriving pass through quickly.   A child is crying inside the terminal, and one window is open.  At 17:15   10 particularly cheerful workers arrive.  Another window opens.  The he upper parking lot on the seamline zone side is empty.  Workers are cleaning the restrooms.  The parking lot on the Palestinian side is completely full as it usually is at this time of day.