Rihan

Rihan, Saturday, January 15, 2005, AMObservers: Dania C., Irit R., Noah L. (reporting); Guest: Noga G.08:30 - 10:20Summary: Traffic flows with no delays, everything is open. Attitude: polite.Cold weather, raining nonstop. Traffic is sparse but constant, more vehicles and few pedestrians. The checkpoint is commanded by Second Lieutenant A. He and his soldiers are models of efficiency and courtesy (even toward us). Traffic flows along without delays or detainees.We are told that today the post is open to everybody and it is permissible to transfer goods as well as beef cattle for the upcoming holiday of Id al-Adha.We, too, enjoy some freedom of movement and are allowed to go anywhere we wish. We went to talk with the cab owners, who wait outside the checkpoint, at the far end, on the Palestinian side. According to them, there is very little traffic due to the upcoming holiday: "Everybody wants to be at home."We ask about the election and they reply: "Absolutely all right. We voted for Abu Mazen because we want jobs. Work is the most important thing."