Reihan, Shaked, Sun 24.2.13, Afternoon

Translation: Bracha B.A.

Shaked-Tura Checkpoint

15:15 – the Checkpoint is totally quiet and there is no sign of activity. A man arrives from the West Bank side and asks how things are going. A dog crawls under an opening in the fence; a small white donkey crosses the checkpoint pulling a small cart and driver. A shepherd and his flock come from the opposite direction together with a donkey carrying wood. The flock crosses and the shepherd is checked. An army jeep passes and the soldiers wave to us. All is quiet. At 15:35 traffic suddenly begins from the seamline zone side. Workers arrive as well as the school principal who is going to a meeting about the strike that is about to break out on Wednesday. The elegant banker returns to the village on foot, since he loaned his car to his nephew who drove to Saalem. We left at 15:45.

Reihan – Barta'a Checkpoint

16:00 – the gate to the vehicle inspection facility is open, which is unusual. Cars are parked with their doors wide open, being checked. 9 trucks are waiting to be checked. We give a bag of used clothing to a worker from Zibda. We drove around the checkpoints on the dirt roads in the direction of Kafin and Zibda where drivers were waiting for passengers. There is nothing unusual going on.

At 16:30 we descended the sleeve and saw that the turnstile was open all the time and the large number of workers returning from work are passing through very quickly. Two inspection windows are open. Document checks and the electronic palm identifying device are both operating with horrible efficiency. Most of the workers were born after all this was introduced.

We left at 16:45.