Barta'a-Reihan, Tura-Shaked

טורה – שקד 0730 – 0810

The generators at the checkpoint block the view of people waiting near the awning.

Tura – Shaked Checkpoint 07:30 – 08:10

It is clear outside and very cold.  30 people are waiting near the turnstile on the West Bank side.   This is a common sight here.  What happened this time?  Have they lost the keys?  Is the computer broken down?  People coming out told us that the soldiers are working without a computer.  They learned the reason from a soldier who has been stationed here for the past two months who speaks Arabic.  He is rude, and takes advantages of his authority to delay people and let them in one at a time.  He can be bribed with falafel, hummus, or cigarettes.  Many people are angry with him.  The line gradually diminished, but when we left there were still about 15 people in front of the turnstile.  The olive harvest is over but there are still olives left on the trees and the trees need to be tended.   People arrive with baskets and food.

Reihan – Barta'a 08:20 – 08:40

 The parking lots are almost full.  Taxis are waiting for passengers and there is a lot of vehicle and pedestrian traffic as usual.  There are two windows open in the terminal and there did not seem to be a line and people were crossing quickly.  We remained a little longer to make sure that things were going smoothly, stopped to talk with people, and left.