Jit junction- Beit Iba

Jit junction- Beit Iba, Tuesday, 18.04.2006, PM Observers: Yael S., Rina S. (visitor), Amit Y. (reporter) 16:00, on the way to Beit Iba, an improvised roadblock at the Jit Junction (roads 57 and 60): There are about 20 cars waiting on the way towards Anabta; only 2 cars waiting on the way towards Beit-Iba / Nablus. The situation is about the same at around 17:30, when we drive back.16:15, Beit Iba: When we arrive, there’s about an hour’s wait for those who try to pass on foot from Nablus; the wait for cars from Nablus is much longer—about two and a half hours. No wait in the other direction. There are 3 young men detained at the “Jora”; students trying to return back home after their day’s studies at A-Najah. One of them is a medical student I’ve already chatted with on one of my previous visits to the roadblock; he explains to me that they have an exam tomorrow and they thought they might gain some study-time if they try their luck around the roadblock. But today, it didn’t quite work. He says they’ve been detained for 2 hours. When we ask the commander about it, he claims that we’re being silly to believe my acquaintance, and in any case, he (the commander) is allowed to hold detainees for up to 4 hours. No, there’s no problem with the students’ IDs, and, yes, they will be released and allowed through, but he’ll do it on his own time. At around 17:30 when we leave, the students are still detained. Here are the restrictions at Beit Iba for today: male residents of Nablus between the ages of 15 and 30 are not allowed to leave their city; other than that, everyone can pass through, but not in buses or cabs. Towards Nablus, there are no restrictions.