Deir Sharaf, Beit Iba

Deir Sharaf, Beit Iba, Sunday 31.12.06, afternoonObservers: Aliya S., Susan L. (reporting)Summary On this, the last day of 2006, we learned that "The Israel Defense Forces are expected to remove several barriers on roads between West Bank villages and ease checks at roadblocks today, as part of the relaxation of restrictions that Israel has promised the Palestinians. A security source said that the alleviations are in keeping with Israel's decision to handle the West Bank and the Gaza Strip differently, in terms of both military activity and the treatment of the population. Therefore, Israel decided not to suspend or cancel the removal of checkpoints in the West Bank because of the Qassam rocket fire from Gaza."But our own experiential "learning," our observations and monitoring of the West Bank around Qalqiliya, Nablus and Tulkarm, confirmed nothing of the kind. More words, more inaction – business more or less as usual in the Occupied Palestinian Territories for the end of 2006, and the second day of the Eid al Adhar feast, with one marked difference: yellow license plated cars (Israeli) going in and out of Nablus, in and out of Anabta – for family celebrations.13:45 Qalqiliya to JitThe shops in Nabil Elyas are still full of fruit, but empty of all the lamb hanging there a few days ago: the meat has been bought up to celebrate the feast of Eid al Adhar.14:00 Jit JunctionWhat a welcome non sight: not a soldier around, just Palestinian vehicles moving freely aboutJunction with Route 60 and Route 57A blue police jeep has stopped a Palestinian bus, the policeman standing there with a rifle in the rain, stares at us and we move on.Deir SharafAs we predicted when the infamous wall went up around Shavei Shomron, and tunnels were burrowed through the lower part, leading directly into the sadly depleted olive groves below, the runoff from the settlement has created a flood and a more or less impassable road to the houses beyond (south of Route 60). Two buses (ferrying children to school) were seen, stuck in the mud a couple of days ago on a tour, and today a couple who lives there told us how bad it is, as they picked their way gingerly – in holiday finery – towards their home. (Note: is there nothing that we can do regarding the impossible situation newly created by the army on behalf of the infamous settlement above)?14:45 Beit IbaWe notice several cars with yellow license plates, families inside, waiting in line to get into Nablus. Yes, a driver tells us, they've been promised that they can drive into the city! As we move to the central area of the checkpoint, we note several similar cars, again full of Palestinian-Israeli families, leaving the city and speeding, happily, we assume, back home behind the Green Line. The soldiers, Second Lieutenant E. in charge, eating a sandwich, are relaxed too. Few people at the turnstiles, a military policewoman in the detention compound on what seems like a long private phone call. E. says it's been "open" since yesterday, and for once, the soldiers seem to know that the Palestinians do, indeed, have a festival (unlike the last, Eid el Fitr when they were clueless). There is hardly any checking going on. Also, no porters, and no trucks, the quarry is stilled, and there are no students; just a lot of families, making their way through the gushing, filthy streams of water flowing through nearly all parts of the checkpoint.Only one strange sight: the open door of the "humanitarian center." E. tells us that the door was broken open (and we can see that there is no handle or lock on it) last night.