BEIT IBA, SARRA, Friday 18 March 2005 AMObservers: Esti Tz., Ofra T., Nili F. (reporting)colour=red>Beit Iba11:15 – The checkpoint commander claimed that “the reservists [who had been here until a day or two earlier] messed everything up” and told us that he and his men would be here from now until October. There was only sparse traffic. People entering Nablus went through rapidly. A soldier told us that a “humanitarian post” had been set up for “those who can’t be let through.” It was closed during our watch. At the checking positions at the exit the soldiers tried to tell us that we were not allowed to be there because this was a “military installation ” ; they threatened to call the police.Sarra11:35 – We met the officer in charge of the list of vehicles that were permitted to pass at Beit Iba. He said the checkpoint was empty because it was Friday and because there had been a significant easing of restrictions and there was now a way through on the Tell-Nablus road which was a short cut. He said we were the only ones going through here. According to him there have been many changes for the better this month, and restrictions have been eased. There were now Palestinian policemen in Nablus. The checkpoint at Huwwara South had been removed. The only people being routinely checked are the 14 to 20-year-olds. The checkpoint was open for traffic in both directions until 23:00 and not just until 17:00 as it was before. Checking was only random. “The feeling in the street is that everything’s OK, important things have happened.” In the past two months no complaints from above had reached him.