'Azzun 'Atma, Eliyahu Crossing, Habla, Mon 18.3.13, Morning
06:00 'Azzun 'Atma
The turnstile is working, it seems there are about 70 people waiting in line. The new installation for checking IDs is operating, but there are still only 2 inspection stations. There are loud arguments going on in front of the turnstile, who will go in next. I was reminded of the lack of patience of Israelis while waiting in long lines. Those going through inspection on the east side of the inspection counter, have to backtrack on their route after the inspection, to go through the west side of the structure and only get out of the checkpoint from there. This is annoying. All the time we were there at the checkpoint additional people kept coming and the line never shortened. A man whom we tracked at the end of the line took 27 minutes to go through.
Two small girls arrived from the Israeli side, on the way to school in the village which is on the other side of the fence. Pretty braids, nicely dressed in their school uniform, packs on their backs and they were standing and waiting; meanwhile, no solider took pity on them and took the time to get them through the checkpoint. A third girl joined them and still nothing happened. Only after a number of minutes did a soldier appear with the keys and opened the gate for vehicles for them.
06;55 Habla
The checkpoint is open and people have already gone through. Turns out that the hour was changed and it now opens at 06:30. There are about 20 people waiting in line.. From our viewpoint, 15 people went through in 10 minutes. The line doesn't get shorter.
The passage is calm and even those arriving from the Israeli side go through quickly.
07:30
Buses arrive from the Israeli side with children on their way to school on the other side of the fence. The buses go through quickly. A child goes by with a donkey and wagon - not going to school?
07:55 Eliyahu gate
Three cars are being inspected, and no pedestrians are waiting.