'Anin, Reihan, Shaked, Mon 26.11.07, Morning

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Observers: 
Anna NS, Netta G (reporting)
Nov-26-2007
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Morning

06:00 - 09:10

06:00 Aanin Checkpoint

The checkpoint gatesinfo-icon are locked. We can hear the voices of the people waiting, but cannot see them because of the terrain. One of them told us by phone that 100-150 people are waiting. The DCO says that Aanin Checkpoint will not be opened. "Security reasons." No closureinfo-icon, Shaked and Reihan are functioning as usual. Only Aanin, which opens on Mondays and Thursdays, will not open today. People arose early, walked through the morning cold from their village to the checkpoint, but will not cross to their lands even on Mondays this week!

06:30 Reihan-Bartaa Checkpoint

In the upper parking lot, on the Seam Zone side, workers are waiting for transport. Our acquaintance, B., says that only he has passed. All his comrades are being checked in the inner rooms. According to him the checking procedures have hardened since the beginning of Ramadan.
06:40 – on the way to the lower (Palestinian) parking lot we see innovations. A large white tent has been put up for car inspections, various safety and gardening appliances have been painted fresh green.
In the lot they tell us that 60 men and 60 women arrived early in the morning. They were put in groups through the parking lot gate, but only entered the terminal one by one, irritatingly slowly. The women seamstresses were checked first. They say that yesterday and the day before there was pressure. Yesterday the women were also checked first and the men waited a long time.
At this hour the traffic is light. Six loaded pick up trucks are waiting to be inspected. Four cars are under the cover of the shaded white tent.
07:00 – on our way to Shaked Tura Checkpoint, we again stop by the upper parking lot. The last group of seamstresses emerges. People complain about crowding while waiting in the terminal, men and women together, before being separated into rooms. They say that the rooms are also very crowded. Pointing at the white tent, they claim that the dog that checks the cars has better conditions than do they.
07:10 Shaked-Tura Checkpoint
The gates are open. Everything "normal." The soldiers peek into the schoolchildren’s satchels, and some "win" a more in-depth poke into their bags. Few cars pass, people moving from the West Bank to the Seam Zone through the inspection hut. A farm worker thanks Anna for the agricultural permit that he received. A soldier politely asks us not to stand in the area of the gates. Something permissible to Palestinians, forbidden to us.

08:05 Reihan-Bartaa Checkpoint

Light but steady flow of traffic in both directions.
The drivers complain about MevoDotan-Amriha Checkpoint. Contrary to what K. at brigade said yesterday, apparently the soldiers do not have up to date lists of those permitted to pass. Owners of land by Amriha were again listed yesterday in Yaabed local council.
08:50 – Major B. from the DCO was observed driving to Amriha Checkpoint. Later our acquaintance M. updated us: Bassam told people that the lists would be transferred from the council to the DCO and within two or three days would reach the soldiers of the battalion on the spot. Till then they would be allowed to pass. We will see...
09:10 – eight cars waiting on the road, three loaded tenders in the parking lot. We leave the checkpoint.
In the upper parking lot, on the Seam Zone side, workers are waiting for transport. Our acquaintance, B., says that only he has passed. All his comrades are being checked in the inner rooms. According to him the checking procedures have hardened since the beginning of Ramadan.
06:40 – on the way to the lower (Palestinian) parking lot we see innovations. A large white tent has been put up for car inspections, various safety and gardening appliances have been painted fresh green.