Barta'a-Reihan, Tura-Shaked, Sat 7.9.13, Morning
0730-0755 Tura-Shaked checkpoint
Quite busy today, heavy traffic and fast driving of vehicles on to both directions. A horse crosses over and is inspected including the couple of sacks on his back. it is followed by a donkey Hornets to a cart. It is a nice autumn , quiet day, until the female soldier begins yelling. There appears to be no reason for such behavior, A car drives near us, the father behind the wheel and his children are in the back. He reports that the soldier wouldn't allow him to bring in a simple plastic bag that contains children change of clothes, True! A security hazard . He had given the bag to people who had crossed over to the opposite direction. There was nothing for us to do about that.
Those coming out of the checkpoint tell us that today's passage is slow. It seems that soldiers delay things on purpose with no consideration with those who need to go through.
0805 – 0835 Barta'a-Rihan checkpoint
As usual the site is busy on all directions. There are vehicles and pedestrians, as well as families with children. Most people cross over swiftly from one side to another. Inside the terminal there are 2 open windows. Occasionally one would close for a short period of time. All those going through are quite and cordially.