Beit Iba, Wednesday, 21.9.05, PMObservers: Sarah P., Raya Y. (reporting)14:15Arrival at the checkpoint. In general, everything was as usual. There was one detainee in the shed; by the time we get around to finding out about his case, he was released. As in the past few weeks, only one turnstile is operative. The explanation – they always break down (convincing?). Two military police at the hut and an additional soldier outside are checking.15:00The line of vehicles is not crowded, checking time is about 5 minutes.15:25We are witness to an argument between the checkpoint commander and a urologist. The latter tries to convince the checkpoint commander that a urologist is indeed a doctor. … Why? Because, if he is a doctor, he is permitted to go through with his car. We intervene, but the commander becomes more rigid. In the end, after the invention of Captain A. from the DCO, the commander let the doctor through. It should be noted that the presence of Captain A. at the checkpoint is calming and moderating. Especially since this commander is not excessively pleasant. When we asked from what hour the soldiers are at the checkpoint, he answered: “I am not obliged to answer questions from civilians who come here.” We insist and ask if the checkpoint has become so popular that crowds of civilians come to visit. He mumbled something.16:00About 50 people go through the turnstile and wait for inspection. Since the military police have left, there is only one soldier in the hut and one outside and the inspection stops for a bit and then proceeds very slowly.16:15Since there is only one turnstile working, we notice a new trick (of the Palestinians) to shorten the lines. The thin people squeeze through a niche between the wall and the turnstile without being noticed, and smile with victory (one of those small victories)… 16:25One detainee.16:30A well-dressed Palestinian who went through the checkpoint in the direction of Nablus, was ordered to return and pick up a banana peel which he supposedly threw out. Since we discovered that the checkpoint soldiers have begun to protect the environment in Palestine, we could only say, better late than never. We ourselves counted a number of bottles and other litter next to the checkpoint, but these weren’t tossed out by Palestinians.