Barta'a-Reihan, Jalama, Tura-Shaked
Jalameh Checkpoint, 06:07
I have not been at this checkpoint for a long time. I wanted to see how Palestinian patients are driven from the West Bank to Rambam Hospital in Haifa. Unfortunately I was five minutes late. A large tent has been erected in the parking lot to provide shade for the workers and drivers. However, the tent is empty and a lot of workers are waiting at various places around the parking lot, where they have meeting points with their drivers. The month of Ramadan has begun and workers are going to work as usual. I hope they will not be delayed for a long time at the end of the day before they return home to break their fast.
Next to the fence there is a container similar to the new mobile kiosk at the Reihan–Barta'a checkpoint. Perhaps it is not a kiosk but some new form of architecture at the checkpoints.
Tura – Shaked Checkpoint 06:57
The soldiers slowly arrive from the nearby army camp. They do not return my greeting of "Good morning." The unit flag has been changed. The purple caps of the Givati Brigade have vanished, and a unit from the armored corps is here for a week or two.
07:07– We hear shouting on the other side of the checkpoint.
07:09– The first worker emerges from the sleeve
.
07:10– The goats, who have been waiting patiently, begin to cross the checkpoint.
07:13– The first car comes out.
07:14– The first car enters on its way to the West Bank
07:25– There is no one left near the turnstile. Everyone has crossed.
Reihan – Barta'a Checkpoint, 07:30
At first people reported that there was a problem with the x-ray machine, but soon people began to come out smiling and reported that the machine was working.
The kiosk is open today despite the fact that it is the first day of Ramadan. A sheet of blue plastic separates it from the sleeve in consideration of those who are fasting. The owner says that not everyone fasts, and a few people do go to the kiosk and buy something.
At 07:50 I collect Amjad and his daughter and his mischievous son. We drive up to the vehicle inspection point. All of the equipment that his handicapped daughter needs is meticulously inspected outside the car, as well as the olive oil I bought for a friend. Ruthi will take Amjad and his daughter to Abu Kabir, where there is a factory that makes equipment for handicapped people which Mari needs.
08:10– The lower parking lot is full as usual. 12 vans loaded with merchandise are waiting to be checked. Most are loaded with vegetables and are headed for stores in East Barta'a. They are covered with plastic sheets which must be removed and then refastened unto each crate after inspection. This takes a long time.