Tulkarem and Qalqiliya, Wed 17.10.07, Morning

Eyal

6:45 Today the workers left on time , and genrally lately - 'Al'hamdualla' ['thank god'], apart from busy Sundays.

One worker complains that his pay,300 IS a day, shrinks to less than 200 IS after paying for transportation and paying the director for his papers. But as far as we know his position is better than other workers from the occupied territories.  Working at the settlements you earn 150 IS a day, and within the Palestinian towns the pay can be as low as 40 IS a day.

One worker comments that winter is just around the corner and that there is no shelter from rain for those awaiting outside. Actually there is a small shelter on the Israeli side and when the soldiers open the road block the workers can reach it, but there is no shelter in the Palestinian side for those awaiting since the early hours of the morning in front of the gate. 

Qalqiliya 442

7:45

A short queue and the inspections are not prolonged. The checkpoint is manned by the Border Police in addition to a seamline volunteer.

A 50 years old Palestinian complains to us that the BP commander hit him and his son on the previous day, Tuesday am, at this checkpoint. The Palestinian takes off his shoe and show us a very black toenail. We find it hard to understand him, it seems he is diabetic. He wants to complain officially and Rina wil send his complaint to the right place.