Barta'a-Reihan, Tura-Shaked

05:45 – Reihan – Barta'a Checkpoint

The line of people waiting to enter the terminal is only half as long as it was last Sunday.  There is a steady flow of people entering the checkpoint and almost without delay.  The order is preserved by the charismatic presence of Iad, the man who volunteers to keep order.  We met Ron, the second in command at the checkpoint, and noted the order at the entrance to the checkpoint.  We also let him know about complaints by vegetable vendors whose produce was not fresh because it was being checked at a late hour.   He admitted that the inspections begin at 07:00 which is even later than we thought, and suggested that the plastic vendors let the vegetable vendors be checked first.

06:40 – Tura Shaked Checkpoint

The soldiers are already at the checkpoint and there about 30 people waiting next to the turnstile on the side of the village of Tura.  The first people crossing to the seamline zone are now arriving.   The children from the village of Daher El Malec are returning to school, looking pleased and well-dressed (following a lengthy strike).    Our guest is amazed that their village is not yet connected to the electrical network.   She is a botanist and is amazed at the variety and abundance of plants in the nearby field.