Barta'a-Reihan, Tura-Shaked

It was a wet cold morning and we were greeted by rain and hail as we drove to the checkpoint.  When we arrived it was beginning to get light and the weather began to change.

05:45 – Barta'a Reihan Checkpoint

To our surprise there was not a long line on the Palestinian side of the checkpoint, and only several dozen people were waiting.   The turnstile opened twice to let only about 17 people in but later it opened for longer periods of time and everyone who arrived and those waiting entered immediately.   Two people told us about family members who had not received permits, and we gave them phone numbers to seek help and wished them good luck.  

06:10 - Many people are waiting on the seamline zone side for rides to work.  We walked down the sleeve to the entrance to the terminal and workers who have finished their work on the night shift in the Shahak Industrial Zone walk into the terminal.  There are six windows operating inside the terminal and people exit quickly.  Many stop at the kiosk that belongs to the settler from Hermesh and enjoy coffee and cakes on their way to work.        

 06:35 – A'anin Checkpoint

The checkpoint opened on time and about 20 people and a tractor had already crossed.  By the time the checkpoint closed at 07:00 about 40 additional people, including several women and three more tractors had crossed.   

 07:10 – Tura – Shaked Checkpoint

We were told that the checkpoint only opened at 07:05 and not at 06:30 as it is supposed to.   There did not appear to be a long line next to the turnstile and the inspection facility.  School children arrived and crossed to school in Tura, the Palestinian village on the other side of the checkpoint.  Children from the "lone house" that belongs to the village of Tura but is located outside the fence surrounding the village arrive in a muddy car and cross to school in Tura.    

07:25 – The sun is dazzling making it difficult to see the children who are walking along the road.  The checkpoint is filled with various facilities and equipment, but there is no concern for their safety.  We left.