Irtach, A-ras, Jubara, Anabta, Beit Iba, Monday morning, 4.7.2006Observers: fatchia I. Horit H”P, Rina, Racheli B”A, Hana C. (reporting)Natanya translating. 15.00 At the entrance to Biet Iba there is once more a mound of earth which blocks the entrance (once there was a commander who removed this, but this time there has been no such miracle. This mound of which there is a picture attached is seen everywhere, characteristic of the occupation. The word which is used for these mounds reminds us of “caressing hair” blocks off passages , pricks and has clothing and other goods hanging from it.In the enclosure are 4 detainees, 2 students to whom the enclosure has become a daily morning-evening resting place. We phoned the humanitarian centre. Two others (of them a student) have been detained for the first time. A short time later a father and son joined them. Five minutes later all but one were freed. He was told to sit with his back to the checkpoint “so that he should not look at me.” Someone claimed that this showed a humanitarian compassion shown by the fact that even the worst of people cannot look in the eyes of the oppressed and therefore the eyes are driven far away. Is there some hope in this?The checkpoint is festooned with banners of thanks to the soldiers from the Women in Blue and a notice in bad English not to smoke and round it drawings. A photo is included. The style of the soldiers is one of violence. “Get out of here. I will put a bullet in your head.” ‘If I see one of you passing here I will break his bones.” “She has had an operation? I don’t do favours.” We complained to Elad Yeshai ( a sergeant who was there) and the style changed. And again the orders of the morning change without warning . The humanitarian line is completely cancelled. The Military policeman says that this is an order from above. Women and men pushed together at the turnstiles, two of which are not working. We complained to the humanitarian centre. An old woman , heavy and slow with a small girl at her side goes by mistake to what used to be the humanitarian line for women. She comes to the checking post and the soldier sends her back to the ordinary turnstile. !0 minutes later when she again arrives she is sent through without being checked. Every hour the elderly are given an education course. 15.55 A further detainee and after him another one who pushed in line both of whom are soon freed. A group of Scottish people arrive who have come to show solidarity with the Palestinians. They can enter Nablus with their passports. We spoke to them and exchanged e-mail addresses which have been passed on to the network. One of the soldiers took the trouble to join us and to tell the head of the group that he had been overcharged by the driver.16.40 We left.17.00 A rolling checkpoint at the gas station between Beit Iba and Jit where there are 3 cars.As usual … at the checkpoint into Israel Nadim our Israeli driver asks us to say Shalom nicely to the soldiers (because of our accent) and we go through without delay.