Beit Iba Tuesday afternoon, 3 Feb 2004 – third day of Id al-Adha Watchers: Esti Z., Ilana K. (reporting), Ella H., Tami R., Etti P., Michal K., Galia Summary: Qalqilya is open. A red billboard warns that Israeli citizens are not allowed in. At Beit Iba 80 people from the Western side. Nablus is closed to men aged 16-35. No exists and no entries. Pressure to go in and out for family visits, into Nablus and the surrounding areas. Mothers and fathers are allowed to pass without their teenaged sons. We got no help from the IDF Humanitarian Center for special cases. Soldiers did not welcome us, but Sami from the DCO on the ground was attentive and helpful. At 16:15 most were dispersed. We left after two and a half hours not sure that we made a difference, besides showing we actually exist.We arrived at Beit Iba at 13:45, to find about 60-80 people waiting, mostly young men, a few couples, and older women around the CP. By the concrete barriers on the road to Beit Iba, was another group of 10 young men, who were being punished with confiscation of IDs for evading the CP. Nablus is a closed city to men between the ages of 16 to 35. Families are allowed in and out. The CP was loaded with IDF soldiers, but only a few were actually handling the crowd (Mostly, Eran, the MP). We got no actual help from Yuval in IDF Humanitarian Center for a man with a hospital certificate (Don’t bother to call Lily of the DCO, who “does not talk to MachsomWatch”). Situation improved when Sami of the DCO arrived and responded to our requests to ease up on the strict application of the orders. At 14:15 Captain Yoav ordered all us to move far away from the CP, because we “are in the way.” (Note: In the future we should try not stand together in bunch in one place for more than a few minutes). When we refused, he blew up in rage and threatened that he is calling the police to come and evict us (Nothing happened, and he drove away). By 16:15, most of those waiting had dispersed. As we were about to leave, only 4 youngsters were left by the concrete barriers. A soldier named Moshiko decided to demonstrate to us what he means by “fun”: pointing his gun at the four, and making them take cover. When we protested to the others that he could do this “for real” next time, Sami took him aside to reprimand him.