06:00 – Barta'a Checkpoint
 

 Photos: A long and orderly line, Neta and Iad 

here is a lot of traffic at the checkpoint.  People are constantly arriving at the Palestinian parking lot.   Most arrive in taxis and the rest arrive in private cars.   All of them are going to work in the settlements, in East Barta'a, or in Israel.  The line proceeds in an orderly fashion, as it has done since Iad volunteered to keep order in what was previously chaos in the morning.  Iad is a contractor who lives in A'araka and employs workers who work in the seamline zone and in Israel.  The management at the checkpoint takes no interest in his contribution, and the Palestinian connection promised to organize a person to be paid to retain order at the checkpoint who would take Iad's place, but have evidently forgotten their promise.  As a result, Iad continues to do the job on a voluntary basis with a great deal of good spirit and patience.   Most of the people crossing are young people, who are pleased to have work.  

06:30 – A'anin Agricultural Checkpoint

The checkpoint opened 20 minutes late.  The soldiers claimed they had a flat tire.   Two young people told us that their friend had been detained, his ID was confiscated, he was handcuffed and he was beaten and placed in one of the two army vehicles.  Another resident said he only saw a young man being detained and taken aside.  The rest of the people crossed quickly .   

06:50 – Tura Checkpoint

There are few people crossing as usual.  This checkpoint is filled with equipment and facilities – fences, booths, gates that can be raised and lowered,  and traffic signals – all products of the occupation.  There are no schoolchildren today – they are on vacation. 

08:00 – Tibeh Romana Agricultural Checkpoint

       Here, too, the checkpoint opened 20 minutes late.  According to the people at the Liaison and 

Coordination Administration, the soldiers made a mistake and thought the checkpoint was supposed to open at 08:30.  Crossing itself took place quickly and everyone who came crossed.  One of the people asked us to come every Monday and Thursday, the days that the checkpoint opens, because he feels that it helps.  Two women who rode with us claimed that when we come, crossing goes quickly.

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