Beit Iba

Beit Iba, Sunday 17.12.06, PMObservers: Aliya S., Alix W., Susan L. (reporting)SummaryThis year, Hanukah, Christmas and Eid al-Adha all occur within a few days of each other. "At this festive season of the year," wrote Charles Dickens, "Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices." In the Occupied Territories, even on a relatively mild shift, on a relatively mild winter day, we cannot help but feel the "Want," knowing of the Abundance (of freedom of movement, of living an ordinary life minus checkpoints) that exists just a few kilometers away. En route from Qalqiliya on Route 55For once, there are more sheep and goats on the march than people or vehicles. Everywhere, shepherds lead their flocks by the verges or in the parched fields, maybe hoping for some extra fattening before the slaughter for the upcoming feast of Eid al-Adha. No military materiel on the road, other than at Azun, where, high on the northern side of the road, a Hummer is half hidden, perhaps spying on the village on the southern side of the roadway. At Jit Junction, not a soldier in sight, no checkpoint!14:00 Beit Iba On boulders to the side, half covered, "Rise up and be free" is painted, in perfect English, on one. And surprise, surprise, the checkpoint is clean. The half meter of garbage at the side of the concrete walkways is gone, as is the mess in the concrete alleyways demarcating where people need to stand. There is no razor wire over which one trips so easily, the passageway is wide open. There are no more signs for where women or men of a certain age have to stand, and the overall condition of the checkpoint has improved by leaps and bounds. We mention to the soldiers who respond laconically, "The city of Nablus cleaned today. They clean every two weeks." The latter statement is completely untrue. The place hasn't been cleaned for months and months. A Zelda, unmanned, stands on the side of the roadway at the checkpoint. A beggar is seated on the ground, arms outstretched. The porters are exceptionally busy today, rushing from one side of the checkpoint to another, the soldiers often fingering their wares but otherwise letting them get on with eking out their meager living. There are two lanes open to traffic from Nablus, meaning that more razor wire has been removed from the roadway. Little traffic – buses, gas balloon trucks, private cars -- and the checking is slow. A truck takes five minutes from the time it's at the head of the line to getting through to the Deir Sharaf side. Ambulance checking is equally slow. 14:10 -- one man is now in the detention compound. Evidently, he had no permit, tried to go around the checkpoint, or another checkpoint and is told, "We'll keep you here until 6:00" (four hours). On hearing our astonishment at this "punishment," we're told that the "brigade commander authorized it." (How on earth do we check this one out)? A young man with a suitcase on wheels, opens it (as if at the airport), his goods are checked, and he goes on his way.