'Anin, Barta'a (old agricultural gate), Tura-Shaked, Ya'bed-Dotan

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Observers: 
Marina Banai and Ruthi Tuval (reporting, Photos). Translation: Bracha Ben-Avraham
Jun-23-2020
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Afternoon
צרורות של עלי טבק בתהליך ייבוש
מתקנים ליבוש טבק

Yaabed – Mevo Dotan Checkpoint

Traffic flowed without stopping.  The concrete blocks at the checkpoint force drivers to slow down, same as at Hermesh Checkpoint.  On the way, we went to explore the tobacco fields in what looked like an agricultural center.  There was a building with a terrace, a thatched shelter, farm equipment, and wall of fruit trees surrounded in the middle of a flowering field of tobacco.  All the surrounding fields had already dried but here all was green.  We couldn’t figure out how the field was being irrigated, but undoubtedly it was.  Near the field leaves had already been put out to dry, using two different methods, and it was a lovely sight.

Barta’a – Reihan Checkpoint

The checkpoint was extremely crowded and the exhaust fumes from the cars in the parking lot penetrated our face masks.  The taxi drivers complained that most of the workers arrive in their own cars and they have trouble earning a living.  They make approximately 100 Shekels a day, with difficulty.  The construction workers, on the other hand, are pleased.  They make a good living.  Two of them have arrived from work in Caesarea. 

Tura – Shaked Checkpoint

The traffic was light and the checkpoint was quiet as usual (a quote from last week's report).  New disposable cups were scattered along the side of the road.  The large garbage container is now gone and we wonder if the soldiers take their garbage away with them to the base.  One of the soldiers used the concrete block as a urinal, and he finally let a car through that was patiently waiting to cross.   

A’anin Checkpoint

We went again to see what was happening at the checkpoint.  Thell two bored soldiers were still sitting there; they said they were guarding a break in the fence.  Yesterday, Monday, the checkpoint was open for farmers' crossing.  An army jeep arrived and a lieutenant got out.  He introduced himself as the deputy commander of the battalion.  He informed us that the checkpoint would not be opened for farmers and that we should not be there, and then left.  We hope that tomorrow the checkpoint would open for farmers so they can tend their olive groves.