BEIT IBA, Wednesday 11 August 2004 PMObservers: Ziona S., Ella A., Hadas T. (reporting);Guest: Dana S.colour=red>Innovation! We now have revolving gates behind the iron fence and people crowded inside in a dangerous manner. The space between the gate and the fence is very narrow, and difficult for older women, loaded with packages and accompanied by small children. People waiting at the gates press against those standing closer and there could be a catastrophe if someone were to get caught in the gate. This was confirmed by one of the soldiers at the checkpoint, who expressed concern and sometimes went over to instruct people how to treat this new technological innovation. Will the authorities set up a commission of enquiry after a catastrophe occurs and will the soldiers be blamed and not the planner?The detainees’ shelter and the entry to the checkpoint were in the process of being improved so that there was no shade for those waiting for hours. There were three detainees [detainees are typically young men aged from 16 to 30 who have no passage permits. The checkpoint soldiers phone their ID details to the General Security Services (GSS) which cross-checks them against a central list of security suspects and then phones the results back to the checkpoint. This cumbersome procedure, which often takes a long time, can take even longer if the checkpoint soldiers wait to accumulate a batch of ID cards before they contact the GSS, or if they wait to get back a batch from the GSS rather than releasing individuals as clearance comes through for each. During this time, the detainees are virtually prisoners at the checkpoints since the soldiers retain their ID cards until receiving GSS clearance ] . One of those detained was suspected of trying to slip past through the surrounding hills and running away from the soldiers. His ID was taken and the details sent for checking, and, although there were no problems, he was still ordered to wait four hours as punishment. All his claims that he wasn’t trying to escape and that his ID was in order didn’t persuade the soldiers. The changeover of shifts and our conversation with the commander helped to release him after “only” two hours. The others were released rapidly as were all new detainees.Among the people coming in from Nablus I met an acquaintance, an economics lecturer at An-Najah university who lives in Anabta. After Oslo he was one of the central pillars of cooperation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. He told me that on his way to and from the university, he has to use four taxis in each direction so as to cover 15 kilometres which all costs considerably in time and money. He pointed out the dangers of the checkpoint and asked us to use our influence to change or adapt it.We left at 16.00 at the request of relatives who telephoned to inform us of the terrorist attack at Qalandiya.