Barta'a-Reihan, Tura-Shaked
15:30 Tura-Shaked checkpoint
On the road leading to the checkpoint, opposite the entrance to Daher el Maleh, a huge tractor is creating a clearing. It’s not clear for what purpose. The tractor operator told us that they were taking the cleared dirt to the settlement of Reihan, to prepare an area for planting. We went into the village to see where things stand regarding connecting them to the electric grid. In the first house on the left they were cleaning up after a party they’d had the night before. They invited us to join them for a meal but we declined, saying that we’d only come to inquire about the situation with the electricity. According to them, they were to be connected to the grid on Tuesday, August 8. We took the homeowner’s telephone number, to follow up later and see if indeed it had happened.
In the checkpoint, a few young women stood laden with shopping bags. A few people and some cars passed through. The routine of occupation.
16:10 Barta'a Riehan Checkpoint
We crossed the checkpoint to the Palestinian side. We wanted to check if the awning was still broken, and in fact there it was in pieces, and there was not a patch of shade to be found on this side of the checkpoint. Perhaps because of the construction that’s taking place in the large fenced off area. In the sleeve there’s a steady stream of returning laborers; the crossing seems quick and we can see them exiting on the other side.
We returned home in terrible traffic.