Beit Iba

Beit Iba, Thursday, 21.7.05, PMObservers: Roni K., Birya L., Dana S. (reporting)Summary: We arrived at Beit Iba after a stay at Tapuah and after we dropped off our colleagues in Huwwara. In retrospect, the checkpoint on the road at the entrance to the settlement of Yizhar, which stopped for a number of hours the movement of dozens of vehicles was the most difficult part of the shift.15:45 – At the Jit Junction it was empty, there was no checkpoint. We called the women at Huwwara, but also they did not manage to contact the DCO. We tried to catch S., the Second Brigade Commander for Nablus, where the secretary, L., answered and promised to take care of it. 15:55 we arrived at Beit Iba, but there was no representative of the DCO and no detainees. A., the commander, introduced himself and tried to clear up what was going on; he made contact with the unit (meanwhile, Ayelet sent a representative of the DCO to Yizhar). The checkpoint was relatively empty with smooth traffic.16:20 – The traffic of those entering became heavier, the soldier standing there was quiet and tried to be polite, but he also checked every bag and parcel, so long lines were formed compared with the light traffic of those going out.16:25 – Another soldier was added which helped with the inspection of those entering. Two soldiers, not at all rude.16:35 – The checkpoint was pretty empty, one detainee. At the junction, vehicles on the road from the direction of Cochin, almost no movement. The detainee was from Balata and wanted to visit his sister in Tulkarm. He said that every time that he passes, he is detained. The soldier gave him a cup of water.16:50 – The line of vehicles entering is very long, the organization is very slow and there seems to be a delay for some reason. A woman approaches from a car going out and tells us that they have been standing for an hour in the terrible heat – there are children in the minibus and it is very difficult. We ask the soldiers to check. There are 5 soldiers assigned to inspection of vehicles, but the whole thing seems quite stuck. There is no representative from the DCO around or on the telephone. A. is informed about the woman's story.17:10 – We start to move in order to collect our colleagues at Huwwara.17:20 – AT the exit from Beit Iba there is a flying checkpoint. About 4 cars.17:35 – On our return from the Yizhar junction, we again count about 10 cars entering (west-east) and, from the other side, another dozen cars. More than previously! They tell us that they have already been waiting for an hour and a half and nothing is happening. Again we call the assistant Brigade Commander, try to make contact with the IDF spokesman and Hannah Barag. The reason for the checkpoint, they tell us, is a specific alert.