Barta'a-Reihan, Tura-Shaked

7.30 – 6.00

Barta’a Checkpoint – 06:00 – The upper parking lot was filled with cars and workers walking leisurely up the sleeve smoking cigarettes, buying coffee, and greeting us.  They reported that everything was OK – they were used to the routine of the occupation.

Another worker emerged extremely angry after being delayed by a military vehicle entering the checkpoint, and claimed “We’re being put in a cage like animals.”

The checkpoint is being expanded.  The temporary container was taken down and replaced by a large permanent covered area at the edge of the upper parking lot.

06:40 – Tura – Shaked Checkpoint – The checkpoint was still closed, but should have opened at 06:30.  The only thing that greeted us was the overflowing army garbage.  The soldiers arrived a few minutes later and the turnstile opened.  The first worker crossed to the seamline zone at 06:53.  Five cars crossed quickly to the West Bank, and 12 cars and 56 people crossed to the seamline zone by 07:70. 

At 07:10 the school children began to arrive.  The younger children crossed quickly without being checked.  The high school students crossing to schools in Jenin crossed through the inspection booth.