Barta'a-Reihan, Tura-Shaked

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Observers: 
Leah Reichman, Neta Golan (Reporting), Translation: Bracha B.A.
Apr-1-2014
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Morning

 

05:30 – Reihan Barta'a Checkpoint, Seamline Zone Side

A lot of people have already crossed and are waiting for their rides to work.  Vehicles are waiting for passengers.  Two people are praying.  People report that today things are OK, and that it takes 5-10 minutes to cross the checkpoint.  One person complained that it took him a half hour to cross.  Among the people we met walking up the sleeveinfo-icon to meet their rides were the seamstresses, friendly and attractive as usual.  A young man told us that the police have confiscated his brother's permit as a "permanent resident of the seamline zone."  His brother is a resident of East Barta'a.   His father also reported this (see report from March 23rd, 2014).   The man cannot even cross to the West bank without some sort of permit.  

The coffee vendor at the end of the sleeve now sells two kinds of biscuits.   Despite this, he still has a competitor – the settler who has a small kiosk at the middle of the sleeve.   Evidently they prefer a latte.  

Two inspection windows are open.  People emerge, fastening their belts.  One of the inspectors calls out to someone whom he has detained, but we didn't see who.

 

06:30 – The Palestinian Side

The parking lot is not yet full at this hour.  Only a few people are crossing and the earliest arrivals have already crossed.  Seven tenders are waiting to be checked.  When we left the checkpoint we saw three cars in the vehicle inspection facility.

 

07:00 – Shaked Tura Checkpoint

The Checkpoint opened 25 minutes late.  

A car and a few people are waiting on the other side of the fence. Two children and the school principal in his car are waiting to cross to the West Bank. The soldiers have not yet arrived.

At 07:10 a dozen young schoolchildren arrive, but the soldiers are still not there.  We called the Liaison and Coordination Administration, and they promise to see what is going on.

At 07:20 we see soldiers walking down the road which leads to the checkpoint.  One of them tells her colleague not to stop next to us, they don't answer our "good morning," and we could not ask why they were late.

At 07:25 the soldiers open the checkpoint and people cross quickly.

At 07:35 two more soldiers arrive.  The teachers going to the school at Um A Reihan have already crossed. 

By 07:50 almost everyone has crossed.  A driver sits under the shed smoking a nargila (water pipe) and waits for the last people to cross.  One of them, an elderly man, tells us once again that he has an agricultural permit but his wife and son do not, despite the fact that they had permits previously. (See report from March 23rd 2014).   He will also be required to wait 40 days to receive a permit.