Barta'a-Reihan, Tura-Shaked

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Observers: 
Vera M. Hanah H.
Feb-4-2015
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Afternoon

 

15:05 – Shaked-Tura checkpoint  

The checkpoint is quiet. 4 individuals and vehicles cross over from the West Bank into the Seam Line zone.

 

15:30 – Reihan- Barta'a checkpoint  

A heavy stream of workers arrives from the Seam Line zone and Israel and crowding begins. The reason for that is that only one biometric machine is operative and within a few minutes it is out of order. Confusion by the machines and the turnstile grows.

According to some of the people, yesterday, too, only one machine worked and it was a mess. We try appealing to the terminal's workers by they turn their backs on us.

At 16:05 we called the deputy manager of the checkpoint, R. and he arrive after ten minutes and fixed the machines.

At the lower car park are there was a rumor that the machines were fixed and the many workers who had just went through without stamping their papers, went back to save themselves problems next time they have to go through the terminal. "Is this what you call life" remarked one of them. Whoever didn't stamp his passage permit could be subjected to future problems.

 

16:25  Matters had calm down by the machines but the lines were still very long. Time of waiting by the machines is about 10-15 minutes per person.

Workers who get out in the morning from the infamous Irtach checkpoint tell us that renovations there haven't been finished. There are not enough windows and the crowding is terrible.

People complain that the lower bar of the turnstile injures their legs, asking us to help in that matter.

Throughout our shift individuals and families returned from the West Bank to Barta'a.

17:00 We left while many workers were still waiting in line by the machines.