'Anin, Reihan, Mon 26.1.09, Morning
Translated by: Louis Williams
06:00 Aanin Checkpoint The checkpoint is open. People are being checked at the gate in the centre of the checkpoint. Today they are not listing the people going out, but checking personal details on a list. The check takes a long time, and it is very cold. There are still school holidays, and the families are recruiting the youngsters for weeding and hoeing the groves. Families, mostly women and children, are passing. They are all complaining that expired permits are not being renewed. The small number of transients recently tends to validate that contention. DCO officer T. indirectly confirms, and argues that the agricultural season (olive picking) is over. According to him there are 500 holders of passes in Aanin and that "is far and away enough." To my argument that there were in the recent past more than 1000 permit holders – he does not respond. 06:30 – reinforcements of soldiers from the DCO. We ask to talk to them, but they refuse.. The lower checkpoint gate closes. A few score and some tractors move up to the centre gate. 07:00 – a number of men detained. The DCO officer is checking about them on the phone, and finally allows most of them to pass. 07:30 – we leave after most of the farmers have passed – 60 people, and children, and tractors – at a very slow pace. 07:40 Reihan Checkpoint
The checkpoint is deserted, like recent weeks. One of the drivers says that in a day’s work they earn at best 40 shekels. Therefore there are almost no drivers. They have gone to seek another livelihood. There are many private cars in the parking lot. They tell us that on the way to Jenin there are many rolling checkpoints where they are primarily checking IDs of youngsters. 09:00 – we leave. |