Beit Iba

Beit Iba, Thursday, 24.11.05, PMObservers: Biriah L., Roni K. (reporting)14:30 Jit Junction: Empty14:35 Junction of Roads #60 and #57 (turnoff to Deir Sharaf): Empty, and this is after several days of considerably long lines.14:40 In contrast, at the entrance to Deir Sharaf, near the curve in the road (and the large green sign), there is a flying checkpoint. A long line of at least 30 vehicles (one can’t see the end of the line). The drivers report about a wait of an hour or more. 3 soldiers are in charge. We try to talk with the commander, but he ignores us, so we decide to continue to Beit Iba, where there is probably the representative of the DCO, A., or someone else from the DCO, who can intervene.Beit Iba: At Beit Iba there is nothing new. From here, and on the way, one can see how the whole area of Samaria (north of the checkpoint) is closed in. Appropriately, there is the same permanent, light foot traffic as there has been for awhile. The same is true of the vehicle traffic, unless there is a special incident or changes in the traffic Directions which cause long lines. In fact, the most noticeable thing during our shift were the flying checkpoints. One of them, as we said, was 2-3 kilometers from Beit Iba. One detainee, who was bound and handcuffed, just when we arrived.14:55We arrived at the checkpoint, which was tense. H., the DCO representative, had no time to talk with us. Very quickly, we learned the reason: a detainee who had been taken and very soon after was removed from the area by a military jeep. (We had no contact with him). We called the officer at Beit Iba, A., about the roadblock at Deir Sharaf. He was surprised by our report concerning the long line and understood that there was no reason for a roadblock so close to Beit Iba, after all the harassment people had already gone through; he said he would do something. From then on, we were in touch with the drivers and pedestrians about the situation there.At the checkpoint itself, it was the same situation as last week, and the last few days: one line only (the humanitarian) out of three was open to vehicles at the exit from Nablus. The line closest to the checkpoint was blocked by what has already been called “an environmental sculpture” made of barbed wire and all kinds of refuse. On the same line, the entering cars also pass, an arrangement which obviously causes problems and delays. At the beginning of this line, at the exit, there is an armoured personnel carrier and the soldiers Direct the traffic from there. Sometimes, using a loud-speaker, they make contact with the soldiers at the inspection station for vehicles.The pedestrian inspection is quick. In contrast to last week, men and women are going through separate turnstiles and don’t have to be crowded into one front turnstile.15:158 vehicles waiting at the entrance, less at the exit. 4 soldiers are in charge of all the traffic.15:25Almost no traffic; the pedestrian traffic is also low, the checkpoint is almost empty. We chat with those passing through, one of whom reports that the situation at Deir Sharaf is the same.15:30Another telephone to A., the commander of the area. The situation is under control, it will take time…15:35The picture changes, a very long line of cars waiting at the exit. We can’t really count from our position. I approach the checkpoint to ask the commander to do something, but he rejects any communication.15:40A call to N., from the DCO. He is busy, passes me on to L. We suggest that they open another line and discuss the situation at Deir Sharaf with him.15:45The busiest hour. Many men arrive at the checkpoint on their way home to Nablus. We find out that the checkpoint at Deir Sharaf is emptying out.16:00The roadblock there is taken away. Meanwhile, the commander who wouldn’t communicate is angry that we called. We decide to measure the waiting time of the vehicles leaving (there are very few at the entrance).16:30We measure the time at half an hour.16:35We left.16:40 Flying checkpoint at Deir Sharaf.No sign of what had happened here. Also the junction of roads #57 and #60 do not have a roadblock. But then, marvelous to behold, at 16:45, a bit further on, not far from Beit Lid on the way to Anabta, a long line of about 50 vehicles are waiting for inspection. Of course, among them are those which had left Beit Iba (the rest, as on every Thursday, are buses and taxis bringing men who work in the Ramallah area back to their homes in Tulkarm for the weekend). The same 3 soldiers are in charge here, those whom we had seen earlier in the afternoon at Deir Sharaf. A telephone to A., the district commander. We complain that the roadblock was simply moved. He answers that the orders were selective, that not all the cars need to be inspected. However, during the long minutes when we were there, this did not seem to be the case…