passing the gate is not fit for human beings, including a climb over the barbed wire fence and stones.
Falamiah North, 914
Hours of operation: 12:45 - 13:15We arrived early and, next to the well, we were warmly invited to share beaufitul fresh guavas and a cup of coffee. We stayed for a short conversation.
12:55 The gate was already open and pedestrians were going through as well as bicyclists. Behind the gate there is a large purple shed whose purpose is not clear. Brand new.
Someone told us that the gate was supposed to open at 12:45 and the in the evening it opens at 17:50 A few people went through. We travelled to Falamia South.
Falamiah South (West Jayous) 935
Hours of operation: 13:25 - 13:45
13:15 We arrived at the gate. Palestinians waiting, one with a tractor, the army has not yet arrived. The Palestinians say that the gate of North Jayous, 965,
is only open for pedestrians, vehicles cannot go through it because the key was lost.
13:20 The soldiers arrived and confirmed for us that indeed there was no key to the North Jayous gate, 965, so only pedestrians can go through it. (cf. in the photo that it is also not fit for human beings to pass through, including a climb over the barbed wire fence and stones). The DCO promised the soldiers that they would provide a key, but nothing has been done yet. As far as I can remember, this story has been told for at least 2 months. The strongest army in the Middle East is not able to open a gate which is locked with a simple lock which one could cut with a tool within a few minutes? They added that "the gate" would be opened at 13:55.
We left for the Jayous gate and, on the way, saw a lot of orchards with new saplings of fruit trees of different sorts on the fields which were, before the moving of the fence, wild growth.
Jayous 965
Hours of operation: 13:55 - 14:10
We arrived at the gate and, right after, a van arrived with youths, all of whom were wearing the same shirts with something written on them, on their way to pick olives. The head of the group stopped near us and introduced himself: mayor of Jayous.
13:55 The soldiers arrive. Now a group of French volunteers arrives, with the same shirts, who came to help with the olive harvest. They are curious about us and ask what organization we belong to and whether we are Israelis. Nina explains and gives one of them written material about our group. The Frendh people leave because their taxi arrives to pick them up.
The mayor complains that they can't go out to the olive harvest in the orchards which are on the other side of the gate and fence. How can they do this and carry back the olives - on their backs?? While they are on foot? Because there is no key for the gate?? They have to get to the groves in vehicles in order to pick the olives and bring them back to the village to be processed. The gate closes; no one went through because it is impossible to pass through in this way.
Another complaint was that he himself cannot get to the orchard which is on the other side of the gate, because he doesn't have a security clearance! His complaint: How can the mayor be classified as a security risk? Besides which he is deprived of the opportunity to pick the olives in his own fields!
On the way home, we stopped at Z and left some sacks with his children. He himself was working at the olive harvest and happily announced that he had oil for sale.