Beit Iba

Beit Iba, Sunday, 11.9.05, PMObservers: Noa P., Naomi L. (reporting)14:30 – before turning into the road leading to Beit Iba CP from Jit Junction (where both vehicles coming from Beit Iba and Tulkarm can be caught…) we meet a "flying" checkpoint. At the side of the road, 3 young detainees sit on a rock. As soon as we approach the soldiers, their IDs are returned and they start walking up the road, hoping to get another ride. At the side of the road, a bus is detained and all the youngsters stand next to it, handing their IDs for a check. Since the soldiers aren't equipped with laptops nor the 'shortened' wanted-men list, we assume they check those living in certain communities by phoning up brigade HQ. As soon as we arrive, the soldiers return the IDs to their owners and the bus proceeds. The soldiers explain to us that not only do they believe their actions are necessary, they are thoroughly "convinced it is absolutely right". There was no point in arguing, beyond our saying that up until a month ago, the Gaza Strip too was apart of the Greater Israel…16:00 – the road block is more active than ever, over 20 cars including trucks and buses and passengers have reported a half-hour waiting and more. No detainees, but the soldiers were extremely slow, only one of the four actually checking, the rest doing nothing at all. We gave out water and people begged us to "do something". We called Operations Officers M. who patiently listened to our plaint (even this is something…) and promised to look into it and do something. It seemed that our presence did speed things up a little bit, but cars kept coming so the line didn't really diminish. Beit Iba CP15:00 –Of the 3 turnstiles, only one is operated electrically by the MP on guard. Once in a while a person gets caught inside until the next click. All pedestrians have to line up in one queue, youngsters, women, children, elderly, everyone. When the soldier pressing the remote control is busy on the phone, the entire line is held up. Outside the shed, another soldier checking IDs. A youngster has bought a decorative sword for his new home. He explains he's a young bridegroom and the sword is meant to hang on the wall for decoration. The soldiers regard this as a "dangerous weapon", they keep taking it in and out of its fancy shield. The DCO explains to them that this is part of "their" heritage, hanging up swords and daggers on the wall, and the soldiers accept it. We asked to open another line for women and children so they wouldn't have to crowd against the men in the same line. "Insufficient manpower" was the reply, and therefore, no additional line, the DCO rep. explains. Besides, the turnstiles are out of order and a technician has already been summoned. People entering the CP bound for Nablus are very few, which does not keep a soldier from yelling at an old woman and her adult daughter "Hey, Hallo! Whoa, wait a minute!" They wait long moments as he turns his back to them and ignores the IDs they hold out to him. Finally the DCO notices them and waves his hand, allowing them to pass without checking. We complained again that there was no special line for women, this time hearing that it's impossible because there are only 2 "shortened" lists of wanted people, and therefore only 2 out of the 5 soldiers at the CP can perform ID checks. 15:30 – the women refuse to crowd between the men and look for alternative passage, so far in vain. Some of them with initiative discover that the right turnstile is indeed blocked by a plastic barrier, but turns freely (the only problem is that it is disconnected from the electric current). They gradually push over the plastic barrier and pass easily. Throughout our presence, soldiers let them proceed along the separate line they formed. One man passing the women's turnstile with a child in his arms is chided by a soldier: "Why are you passing here? Can't you see no one is?" assuming he understood every Hebrew word being said…Luckily pressure wasn't too great. Since the Company Commander was not available throughout our vigil, we made a note to speak with him about; - women having to crowd in one line with the men- the lack of the "shortened" wanted lists- the barbed wire spirals lying on the ground all along the foot passage that leave a very narrow access for both in and out-going pedestrians