'Anin, Barta'a-Reihan, Tura-Shaked, Tue 12.11.13, Morning
Translator: Charles K.
06:05 A’anin agricultural checkpoint
The checkpoint opened at about 06:15. More than 100 people had crossed by 06:45, including many youths. We didn’t see any problems nor hear any unusual complaints, though their absence shouldn’t mitigate the seriousness of the limitations imposed on residents trying to go from one part of their country to another. They’re still subject to the occupation authorities and unable to move freely in their homeland.
07:00 Tura checkpoint – a “fabric of life” checkpoint, according to the army’s wearisome Newspeak.
Dozens crowd around the inspection building before crossing to the seam zone. Some tell of people living in Tura/Yabed, whose lands adjoin the Tura checkpoint and who had always been granted permits to cross there, and who recently, when their permits were renewed, found an error had occurred – the permits specified they could cross only via Barta’a, which is far away. It costs them time and money to get here. They say the Salem DCO admitted the error, and will instruct soldiers at the Tura checkpoint to let them through. But soldiers at Tura said they were never notified of this, and sent them to the checkpoint specified in their permit. We tried to speak to one of the soldiers/officers at the Tura checkpoint to find out what was going on, but were unsuccessful. The soldier refused to listen or talk to us. Whoever picked up the phone at the DCO said those people had always crossed via Barta’a. Those harmed by the error continue to argue that Barta’a is far from their lands. In order to resolve the issue they’ll have to return to Salam DCO and prove their lands are near Tura checkpoint, not Barta’a.
08:00 New Barta’a checkpoint
About ten pickup trucks laden with merchandise and many private cars wait on the road to go through. We didn’t stay long enough to see how long it took to cross. Trucks, pickups and a few Palestinians cross to the West Bank. People move through the fenced corridors to and from the terminal. Taxis wait for riders. Everything’s normal under occupation.