Rihan

Rihan, Saturday, February 26, 2005, AM Observers: Sarit A., Noa L. (reporting)08:30 - 10:30Rihan checkpoint - On Saturday, following the terror act in Tel Aviv:The checkpoint is most crowded, many vehicles and about 100 pedestrians, a rare occurrence on Saturdays.There is a closure. Holders of blue (Israeli) I.D. cards and vehicles with yellow plates cannot enter the West Bank (unless they are settlers). From the West Bank, going into Israel, they allow only those with the proper permits. i.e. residents of Barta'a and the seamline villages, but not workers. It is forbidden to transfer merchandise of any kind. All I.D. cards are being inspected by the Shabak (Israeli general security services). This is done by phone, which causes the long line of pedestrians. According to the soldiers, the average waiting time per person is one hour. Two soldiers describe the situation as "a mess."Cars loaded with commercial contents coming from the West Bank go back, and so do Israeli cars going into the West Bank. The soldiers (male and female) including military police personnel and Border Police soldiers, maintain composure and demonstrate outstanding patience and courtesy, also towards us. At least two of them speak fluent Arabic. We were able to stand anywhere at a reasonable distance, as long as we didn't go to the other side. We spoke, through the fence, with a few Palestinian workers from Barta'a, who held working permits and due to the closure, were not allowed in.Slowly, all the pedestrians went through.Shortly after 10:00, the closure was lifted. Cars are allowed in and out, merchandise is transferred, pedestrians still waiting in the shed go through swiftly, including the workers.When we left, traffic was streaming along in both directions.(We learned from the soldiers that many workers go through the checkpoint at around 5:30 in the morning. It is worthwhile holding a shift of MW at that time.)Shaked gate -- We drove to the gate at the beginning of our shift at 08:15 and there wasn't a living soul on site.