Anin: After 20 years at the checkpoints, soldiers and Palestinians do not understand what we are doing there

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Observers: 
Zafrira Zamir, Neta Golan (Reporting) Translation: Bracha Ben-Avraham
Dec-11-2019
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Afternoon

14:20 – Yaabed – Dotan Checkpoint

There was little traffic and it was crossing without delay except for the concrete blocks in the road that forced drivers to stop.  In front of the red sign warning people against entry into Area A there was a sign advertising apartments for sale in the settlement of Mevo Dotan.  

14:40 – Barta’a – Reihan Checkpoint, Palestinian Side

There were many cars in the parking lot and the Palestinian attendants were walking around with nothing to do.  There were a few workers returning from work and drivers were waiting for them.  Three boys were selling coffee from a thermos. 

15:00 – Tura – Shaked Checkpoint

A woman carrying a toddler crossed to the seamline zone followed by a yellow taxi that collected them.  A young man crossed after them.  The checkpoint was quiet and filthy as usual.

15:15 – A’anin Checkpoint

About 20 people and two tractors were waiting to cross from the seamline zone to their homes in A’anin across the separation barrier.  A man told us that his sons have not received permits to cross and he is unable to work his land by himself.  We gave him the phone number of the hotline for Protection of Individual Rights.  Another man told us that his permit is about to expire in a months.  Tomorrow he will go to the District Coordination and Liaison Office to ask for it to be renewed.  He expected us to see that the permit was renewed immediately and asked why we come if we can’t do anything.  The soldiers arrived on time and before they entered the area inside the checkpoint they came up to ask what we were doing there.  They didn’t understand why we have come.  Neither the soldiers nor the Palestinians understand what we are doing here, but we will continue to come.  The soldiers opened the two locked gatesinfo-icon of the checkpoint (recently the gate on the side of the seamline zone has been unlocked) and arranged the people in groups of six.  For some reason their certificates are checked when they are on their way home.

 

At 15:30 we prepared to leave when an elderly man arrived who thought that it was only 15:00.  The soldiers were still there and the elderly farmer was allowed to cross. – something that is not necessarily taken for granted.