Beit Iba, Tuesday, 3.1.2006, PMObservers: Fathia A and Horit H-P (both reporting)We were told by D. of the DCO that there are definite army orders that the checkpoint at Beit Iba is closed to anyone from Tulkarm, Anabta, Beit Lid and anyone living more than 5 kilometre from the checkpoint.A soldier explains to someone that he can get to Anabta through Al Badhan which means he has to travel about 5 kilometre in the direction of the Jordan Valley and from there (not clear how) to get to Anabta. A brother and sister at 16.00 tried to argue with the commander, a doctor and she is a student. But when they tried to persuade him to let them pass he pointed his rifle at them and said he would throw them into the “hole” and they left. Most of the soldiers did their work impatiently and rudely especially the great hero who said “Speak Hebrew to me.”The commander also added to this humane atmosphere and when someone had the cheek to ask him to let him pass as a favour because his mother is very ill replied “The army does not do favours.” The ill-treatment of these people who are no longer citizens of anywhere reached its height when he screamed out over the microphone the names of places which people were not allowed to enter. The humiliated crowd turned back.We phoned the DCO and asked how they could allow the commander to act in this disgusting manner and were told that someone would be sent from the DCO. And very quickly a jeep arrived. But by this time only the soldiers were left and the dust from the quarry.