'Anin, Barta'a-Reihan, Tura-Shaked
On the way to our observation spot we entered the art gallery at Umm-al-Fahm. There we met a group of about 15 people who came from Tel Aviv to express solidarity with the residents of the city, to the dissatisfaction of Minister Lieberman. The exhibitions were interesting. The group intended to end the visit at the restaurant. We continued to the nearby checkpoints.
14:20 – Barta’a-Reihan Checkpoint, Palestinian Side
When we drove through the vehicle checkpoint, we saw the seamstresses, who work in the sewing workshop in Barta’a, go down to the terminal on their way home in the West Bank. After we parked we met with them in the Palestinian parking lot, as usual with friendly smiles and hand-shaking. At this early hour agricultural workers (mostly orange pickers) also return home carrying sacks of oranges. Few people wanted to pass to the opposite direction – to the seamline Zone, but only one turnstile serves all, so they had to wait. The parking lot and the additional lots above the road were totally filled. In one of the sheds, a few people were praying. In the other shed drivers sat on the bench. There is no drink or snack stand. Our acquaintance H., says they will come later (?). We hope that the managers of the checkpoint have not thrown them out.
15:00 – Anin Checkpoint
We arrive at the same time as the soldiers. At the site, two tractors, about 20 men and one woman are waiting. For some reason, the tractors pass through first today. People are called in groups of three and permits are checked quickly. One more tractor and individual people arrive and pass through in threes, “obviously”. They have time until 15:30, the hour the gates
are locked. We leave beforehand.
15:20 – Tura-Shaked Checkpoint
Two women, residents of the Palestinian village Umm Reihan (seam line zone), sit in the shed on what is left of the broken bench. They have a lot of packages and wait for a car that will pass the checkpoint and transport them home. The younger one among them is an English teacher in the school in Jenin.
15:30 – There is almost no traffic and we travel home.