Barta'a-Reihan, Tura-Shaked, Ya'bed-Dotan

15:00 – Tura-Shaked Checkpoint

Two children, 6 and 8, arrive from the direction of Dahar-al-Malik.  We estimate that they are walking as is their custom, to visit their grandmother and grandfather, or perhaps cousins or just friends in Tura, past the fence, by way of the checkpoint, obviously.  Soldiers.

15:30 – The accessorized checkpoint (pillbox, concrete obstacles, sheds and sacks), is not manned.  Cars slow down, zig-zag between the concrete obstacles, and continue on.  We go up, rather, to the fenced and neglected Mevo-Dotan and observe Ya’bed, which stretches to the ridge over Emek Dotan.  Beautiful. 

16:00 – Barta’a-Reihan Checkpoint

Many workers on their way home.  The single turnstile turns without stopping.  Two inspection stations work for those returning from the Seamline Zone, but most, people from Harish, pass by them in a hurry.

A man turns to us about a relative whose permit was denied because of his son, who was already sentenced to jail for throwing stones. Permit = Income.  We gave him a phone number.  That was the least we could do.  Happy Independence Day.