ברטעה-ריחן, טורה-שקד, עאנין
15.20 Anin Checkpoint
The entry gate is already locked. The inhabitants have passed through and the soldiers are still there.
15.40 The Tura-Shaked Checkpoint
On the way to the checkpoint, I offer a ride to an elderly man, but he refuses, saying that “This will cause me trouble”. Claire, who is totally committed to the project of connecting the village of Dahar-el-Malech to the electricity grid, asks to meet the muchtar (the head of the village). Some more villagers who know Hebrew arrive. They receive us warmly, around a charcoal stove, and offer us black coffee. It is difficult without electricity, both for the old people and also the children. They hope that they will receive a positive reply. They tell us that difficulties arise when they want to take a small quantity of meat or a few bottles of Cola across the checkpoint. Most of the families are big and the quantities of groceries are accordingly large.
Children who return after school must pass through the inspection booth and they are also delayed there. The civil administration didn’t register the car numbers on the new checkpoint permits, and therefore the people are forced to go through on foot, in spite of health problems and handicaps.
17.00 The Bata’a-Reihan Checkpoint
Many workers are returning home; passage through the checkpoint is fast, the inspection machines are working properly, and everyone is happy. Someone says that it has also been OK in the morning. It’s good to hear this at least.
We leave at 17.20.