A surprise at the Tura checkpoint
The North, 11.09.2023
Irit A., and Neta G., (Report and Photos)
Marcia L., Translation
05:50 – Barta’a
We traveled to Barta’a this morning with Pierre. We entered road 611 to Palestinian eastern Barta’a, and crossed to the Israeli, western side. The long, main commercial road, crosses both of the two Barta’as, the Palestinian and the Israeli. There is a different, physically better infrastructure on the Israeli side, but in reality, this is one settlement whose residents are all one family, the Kabahas; one family, but two citizenships. The residents of western Barta’a are Israelis; a sick person or a woman giving birth, will come at a needed time to Hillel Yaffa Hospital in Hadera. Residents of eastern Barta’a are Palestinians; someone sick or giving birth, must cross Barta’a Checkpoint and go to the hospital in Jenin. At this hour, the two Barta’as have still not woken up; the protective trellises of the stores are not up and the street is devoid of cars and people.
06:10 – Barta’a-Reihan Checkpoint, Seamline Zone side
Many people have already crossed the checkpoint and wait for rides to their places of work. Many additional people continue to go up the long sleeve
(the fenced-in and covered passage to and from the terminal). As a shortcut, a few jump over the fence. We go down to the terminal against the stream coming up, among them, a few women. At this hour, a few individuals cross to the West Bank. Somewhat surprisingly, a few greet us with genuine friendliness. One of them says that in the morning, the crossing was fast. After twenty minutes, there are fewer people going up the sleeve. We also go up in the direction of the parking lot. Drivers who are not regular shuttle drivers, call out for those traveling, especially to Umm-al Fahm, nearby. In the shed, where people wait, the buffet is open. People spread carpets on the cement floor and artificial grass surfaces to pray (photo). There are those who add their own prayer rugs.
07:05 – Tura-Shaked Checkpoint -Surprise!
The checkpoint is not opened on time. Police from the Border police arrive and open it a bit late. One man sits on the side of the shed and calmly smokes a nargila (hookah). Two cars wait to cross. Female students in striped dresses and hijabs enter the booth for inspection. Two people from the Border Police approach the man with the nargila and ask what he is doing. They also approach us. According to them, we are in the area of the checkpoint and we should be at a distance of 400 meters. We try to explain that this isn’t so. Their (female) supervisor arrives. According to her, we have to be 100 meters away. That is also not true. She explains that we are in a firing line of the checkpoint. To the statement that we have already stood here for twenty years, she says that even in fifty years we will not be allowed to stand in this place. To that statement--that in fifty years we hope there won’t be an Occupation-- she answers, “Me too.”
07:40 – After that surprise, we leave.