North checkpoints: Altogether there was a depressing quiet

Pictures: Barta’a checkpoint: A local inhabitant asks for help. No income. Needing a permit to pass

Hermesh checkpoint was not manned, and there was very little traffic.

Yabed-Dothan checkpoint: Soldiers of “Netzach Yehuda” brigade were watching some activity or other. Their commander ordered us to move away. Although there was no organized process of checking  vehicles, now and then a traffic  jams were caused by the presence of soldiers.

Barta’a-Rehan checkpoint: Cold and wet. We were glad to see that the small coffee-sellers were not around today. Apparently someone looks after them. The parking lot was less crowded, and altogether there was a depressing quiet. S., who calls himself “the Beduin,” decided that the time has come to acquire a permit to pass, and engaged Elija in long conversation.

Tura-Shaked checkpoint. Two cars wait to pass in the direction of the West Bank. When the soldiers pay attention to them, they pass quickly.