Barta`a checkpoint: It is not clear what the criterion is for distributing work permits

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Observers: 
Neta Golan and Shuli Bar reports and photographs
Jun-2-2024
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Morning

Barta’a, Tura, and A’anin Checkpoints, 06:15-07:30

We went to the checkpoints this morning with a sense that we needed to continue to show our presence despite the fact that our activities in this part of the West Bank and the occupied territories are no longer of any significance.  The two agricultural checkpoints of Tibeh-Romena and A’anin are stucked in a huge, intimidating concrete wall that violently separates farmers from their fields that have been forcibly taken from them.  The farmers beg in vain to be allowed to return to their olive groves to prune and weed.   The Palestinian DCO  has not represented them to the Civil authorities or done anything for them to find a solution.   At their request, the Center for Defense of the Individual  (An organization of Israeli volunteers) approached the Israeli court to receive permission for farmers to visit their groves in the seamline zone but the courts refused.  In June the center will present again a new request.  The courts can be approached only once a month.

We stopped at the upper parking lot at Barta’a Checkpoint where lucky people who have work and a crossing permit, were being picked up for work.   We spoke to a woman resident of Yaabed – a town that has roots going back to the iron age.  Yaabed is located opposite the settlement of  Mevo Dotan on the road to Jenin, who works in the Shahak Industrial zone.  She was waiting for her ride to work and asked us to try and get the checkpoint to open at 05:00 – which has been requested by many people at the checkpoints.   “All of us want peace,”  she said.  “We all want peace and simply to live.”  We spoke to Mohammed, a resident of Kabatiya who is about 60 years old.  He has a rare permit to enter Israel as a merchant – in his case to distribute electronic devices manufactured in Alon Tavor near Afula (Israel) where he works.   Dozens of workers – most of whom are young people aged less than 35 are in the parking lot.  Previous regulations would have prevented this age from receiving work permits.

Tura Checkpoint opens at 07:00 and there was light traffic in both directions.   Two young men approached us and, like in better days, asked us whether we could help them with a police prevention order.  Neta gave them Sylvia’s phone number and for a moment we felt as we had for many years that we could actually help.

Aanin Checkpoint was closed and locked.  As we were leaving an army Toyota arrived and a polite woman soldier told us that we were not allowed to drive on the road leading to the checkpoint.  We informed her that we had been driving on that road since before she was born.   There is no sign saying that it is forbidden, and if so, show us an order from the army.  She insisted that now it is forbidden, and drove off.

The olive groves on the sides of the road to the checkpoint in the seamline zone are very neglected.  Their owners from A’anin are prevented from reaching them from beyond the concrete wall.  Further, on the groves belonging to residents of Um a Reihan who live in the seamline zone, the olive groves  are well-tended.

We returned home sad and weary.