'Anin, Barta'a-Reihan, Tura-Shaked
15:15 – 15:35, Anin Checkpoint
15:15 – 15:35, Anin Checkpoint
The checkpoint was already open and it appears that most of the people already passed through to the village, including the tractors. An officer, a female soldier and a male soldier, armed and not working, struck a pose in the sun next to the front gate. Then, more people arrived and passed through. The last group arrived running, in order to get through before the checkpoint closes, in another 4 minutes. Lucky for them the soldier reopens the gates
, therefore avoiding a possible problem. It was a wonderful spring day, splendid flowers and smells all around regardless of the occupation .
15:45 – 16:00, Tura-Shaked Checkpoint
The few cars passing from the Seamline Zone to the West Bank, disturbed the quiet of the checkpoint... At the Seamline Zone, a few cars and a motorcycle rider came out. From a distance we could hear voices of building and the call of a rooster somewhere.
16:05 – 16:35, Barta’a-Reihan Checkpoint
Hundreds of workers, almost running, stream through and go down to the terminal. From the terminal, those coming out to the Seamline Zone were primarily women, a few of them with children. Some of them greeted us peacefully and one even convinced her little children to wave to us. And there were those who looked at us with an angry expression. Despite the crowding that dominated in the sleeve, there was no line beside the turnstile that didn’t stop turning.
The parking lots of the checkpoint and the sides of the road were filled with vehicles. It is difficult to accept the fact that the Palestinian workers pass the checkpoint on foot and that the Israeli vehicles (residents of the settlement of Mevo Dotan) cross the checkpoint with no disturbance.
Our friend, A., complained that in the last few mornings, there were again long lines that progressed slowly because in the terminal, not enough inspection windows were open. Since Sunday morning, the condition improved. Another worker said that when we (MachsomWatch observers) are at the checkpoint the condition at the checkpoint is better for them.
Two women who left the checkpoint and went in the direction of Barta’a, complained to us in English, that it is not comfortable for them that men and women pass the checkpoint together in the same lane.