Barta'a-Reihan, Tura-Shaked
05:50 – Barta'a
People are going through quickly. They report that the turnstile leading into the terminal on the Palestinian side is always open and therefore people are crossing quickly.
The Palestinian parking lot is not yet full. Some trucks and vehicles, loaded with merchandise, are waiting to be checked later on.
The turnstiles are closed and a long line forms immediately. This was not caused by a breakdown but rather a normal situation, familiar to the Palestinians, so everyone waits quietly. All of the laborers work in construction in Harish (a new settlement). The turnstiles open and about 50 people enter within three minutes. After a few minutes the turnstiles close again, and open after three or four minutes.
We went back to the upper entrance to the terminal. There are four inspection booths in operation and people are being checked quickly. We followed one Palestinian from the lower entrance to the upper exit and found that it took him 15 minutes to get through the terminal.
06:45– There are a lot of workers in the upper parking lot, waiting for rides, and a lot of drivers are waiting to drive people to work.
The Palestinian coffee vendor has been forced to move his stand far away. The settler who sells refreshments is doing a good business, but the Palestinian still has a large clientele.
06:55 – Tura – Shaked Checkpoint
There are soldiers at the checkpoint but they have not yet begun to admit people through. At 07:05 the first driver crosses after being checked, as well as a woman and a boy.
Many people who cross, and drivers with vehicles, complain that the computers are not working and making lists by hand takes a long time. Consequently they are often late for work.
The schoolchildren cross without being checked. On the other hand, the school principal, who crosses from the seamline zone to Palestine every morning, must undergo a meticulous check of his car, including inspection under the hood and the boot.
Drivers going to the seamline zone who have already been checked are waiting for passengers.
At 07:45 there were still workers waiting to cross. We left.