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Israel has begun testing a major crossing on the West Bank separation fence at Qalqilyah.
Israel allowed hundreds of Palestinian workers
to cross from the West Bank in the first two days of testing the
crossing, which itself abuts the Green Line 1967 boundary with Israel.
The Israel Defense Forces
said the new Qalqilyah crossing was aimed at easing passage while
boosting security along the fence, which it says keeps suicide bombers
from reaching Israeli cities.
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The high-tech terminal, in the shadow of a
concrete watchtower and surrounded by razor wire fencing and blocks, has
the physical trappings of a modern frontier post.
"This has become like
the bridge to Jordan,
like an international border," said Hisham Abu Radi, a Palestinian
farm labourer who spent hours waiting to cross on Tuesday before turning
back.
The checkpoint at the
outskirts of the citrus farming town of Qalqilyah
is part of a network of crossings Israel is erecting along the
route of the separation barrier.
Past metal turnstiles that
soldiers operate by remote control, guards behind fortified glass check
identity cards and direct Palestinians through metal detectors and
security checks.
The IDF did not say when
the Qalqilyah crossing, which is not inside the West
Bank, would formally open.
"The previous crossing
was old and archaic," an IDF spokesperson said. "This is a lot
more efficient and it is supposed to be smoother. All the security
measures are there to make sure terrorists don't get into Israel."
Israel has said it is building dozens
of checkpoints - from simple gates through which farmers can access their
land to massive passenger and cargo terminals - along its barrier. It
hopes to have them all operational by early 2006.
"I believe crossing
points between countries should be mutual. But Israel is in charge of their
side and our side," Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat told
Reuters.
"It is not an equal
situation. I am afraid that these crossing points that Israel is
imposing are having to do with the wall and creating facts on the
ground."
Crossings similar to the
one at Qalqilyah have opened near the West Bank cities of Bethlehem and
Jenin, and should open shortly near Ramallah, the seat of Palestinian
politics.
"We hope this will be
good for everyone," said tile trader Mohammed Abu Nidal, crossing
for a second day at Qalqilyah. "But it would be better without a
crossing at all. We could get in and finish our work faster."
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