Barta'a-Reihan, Jalama, Tura-Shaked, Tue 4.6.13, Afternoon
Translation: Naomi Gal
15:00 Jalame - Gilboa Checkpoint
we brought baby Miriam and her mother to Jalame Checkpoint. Many construction projects are in progress here. The entrance to the terminal is blocked. Miriam, her mother, and the few who return at this time to the West Bank, passed on foot through the vehicle checkpoint, which serves primarily the passage of cars of Arabs who are citizens of Israel.
15:55 Shaked-Turah Checkpoint
At this time there is very little traffic, vehicular and pedestrian.
16:20 Barta’a –Reihan Checkpoint
The ugly warehouse is already standing beside the sleeve; apparently there is no need to paint the wall, which can only be seen by the Palestinians and by us. The concrete floor has been poured at the end of the sleeve, near the entrance to the terminal on the side of the seam zone, but there is still no access to it (see report from 23/5/2013) A new camera was installed there.
People go down the sleeve and disappear into the terminal. The passage of students and families from the West Bank into the seam zone doesn’t hold back those who are passing to the West Bank. Two are detained on the bench in the terminal.
Today people are especially friendly, greeting us with a big smile. Perhaps a work permit in Israel or in the seam zone, and fair weather are enough to make happy those who settle for little.