'Anin, Barta'a-Reihan, Ya'bed-Dotan
14:15: Barta'a-Reihan CP, side of the seamline zone -- Fulfilling dreams
We arrived early with a father and his sick daughter, whom we brought to the CP from Rambam Hospital in Haifa. Not many people are returning from work at this hour. There are also only a few people going through from the West Bank to the seamline zone.
On the way we saw a sign at the entrance to the Reihan settlement, encourages new settlers : Instead of dreaming about an apartment, move ahead to your own house .
14:30. Tura-Shaked CP
This time we got here early, but at this time there is practically no traffic. Single cars go through in each direction and also one pedestrian.
14:55 A'anin CP
The soldiers are in place; the three gates of the CP are already open and the few people who had the privilege of going through to their fields (imprisoned in the seamline zone) in the morning, are already going through and going back home.
The CP commander, a Captain, commander of a Company in Giv'ati, approaches to talk with us. He is interested in our activities and asks what else we do apart from observations in CPs. He has just come back from the war in Gaza. He behaves pleasantly and courteously toward the Palestinians and toward us. From the CP we can see that in the Hinanit-Tal Menashe settlement massive earth-moving is going on. Here, too, dreams are being fulfilled.
We passed the Barta'a CP. The work is still going on in the Palestinian parking lot and so parking is possible only inside the CP. The rest of the cars park along the road, in the improvised parking lot opposite Zebda, on both sides of the 'bridge' which is always closed.
15:30 Ya'abed-Mavo Dothan CP
The CP is opened. Cars drive in both directions. Most of them are not delayed. A few cars are required to stop for a quick inspection.
15:00 Barta'a-Reihan CP, side of the seamline zone
A singer and a flute-player, who have come through the CP from the West Bank, are waiting for a ride. They have been invited to perform at a wedding in Tur'an. The singer tells about how popular he is and that he performs at weddings in Israel and on the West Bank. He has a permit to enter Israel and he has to renew it every three months. He complains about the CPs which limit free movement. Many workers are returning from work at this time and get off in the direction of the terminal. They greet us and go quickly through the turnstile on the side of the entrance to the terminal. There is some protection from the sun over there.
16:30 we leave.
A woman settler from Mavo Dothan is waiting for the bus and tries to talk to us. We all speak Hebrew but use widely different words.