Barta'a-Reihan, Tura-Shaked

15:00 – 16:30

15:00 - Barta’a-Reihan Checkpoint
we had to pass on an envelope and clothes to A., so we asked and received a permit to pass through the vehicle checkpoint to the yellow gate in our taxi (generally, they don’t allow Pierre, our regular taxi driver, to cross the checkpoint because he is an Israeli Arab.) There, at the yellow gate, the security guards wouldn’t let us to stop and pass on the clothing.  We passed on the envelope in any case, but we gave up on the clothes.

Many workers return from work in Israel, fewer people than usual. Families with children and presents in their hands, pass through in two directions.  Tonight is the night of El Kadar in which, according to tradition, the Koran was given to Mohammed.  Residents of Yabed and Zabda received permits to leave for Jerusalem for prayers at the Al Aqsa Mosque.  Buses filled with travelers go via Route 6.

15:40 – Tura-Shaked Checkpoint
People and cars pass through to the West Bank with no problems.  They tell us that this morning, the checkpoint opened at 06:30. While we were there only one truck passed to the Seamline Zone.  The garbage container (“of no one” as we have been told once) is full of garbage (belongs to our soldiers) and spills over the sides. However, no one bothers to empty this nuisance.