Mevo Dotan (Imriha), Reihan, Shaked, Tue 24.7.12, Morning
Translation: Bracha B.A.
07:07 – Shaked-Tura Checkpoint
The checkpoint is open on the side of the village and we see about 30 people, but they are not going in. Soldiers are instructing them to go back and around. Evidently there is no electricity in the inspection facility and people have to go through the vehicle gate. They must be frisked, remove their belts, and have their documents checked. One of the men asks "What if my pants fall down?"
A young man and women with a baby
carriage cross from the seamline zone to the West Bank. A transport vehicle waited until all had passed through and took them to work. One more private car passed through and the checkpoint was silent. The children are on school vacation and the adults are at home because it is the fast of Ramadan and fewer people are going to work.
07:30 – Reihan Barta'a Checkpoint
The parking lot is not full yet. People arrive and immediately go through the gate without delay. Mahdi is not here with his coffee stand – it is Ramadan and people are fasting. There is no work and there are no trucks waiting to be checked. Drivers are waiting for passengers but practically none arrive. It is not and there is no work.
08:10 – Yaabed Dotan Checkpoint
The checkpoint is already manned. There is a lot of traffic in both directions. Drivers going to Jenin are waved through, while drivers going towards the seamline zone, Kafin, or Tul Karem are briefly checked by conducting a short conversation or showing documents, but the soldiers' rifles are on their shoulders and can be quickly aimed if needed. It looks threatening. As Supreme Court Judge Edmond Levy says, there is no occupation, but this is what life is like here
Reihan Barta'a Checkpoint 08:20
A car loaded with merchandise which we saw at Dotan Checkpoint is already waiting in line to be checked, but there are several cars, which have entered the inspection facility, whose papers were checked a half hour earlier. By the time we left three trucks/tenders were waiting in line. Traffic is moving smoothly.