Beit Iba

Beit Iba, Monday, 15.1.07 AMObservers: Roni S, Naomi L, Osnat R,(reporting) General: no restrictions, no lines, no checkpoint at Jit. 07:20 Beit IbaNo lines of cars inbound to Nablus. Two cars at the exit. Quiet atmosphere. No lines of pedestrians in either direction. No checks in to Nablus, though the passers by are requested to show that they have IDs, and there is no sign saying they should pass – which always causes confusion. The excuse given for the need to show IDs is to prevent Israelis from passing. A soldier is photographing at the checkpoint, and the commander protests that he is not to film women. Roni spoke to Mahmoud Nasser in Nablus who told us that Checkpoint 480 is closed (A-Asira), a fact that gets in the way and prolongs the journey. At el-Bidan everything is okay today, but yesterday was terrible and the wait in line was two to three hours. 08:05 – ten cars in line for Nablus, a bus arrives, the soldiers board, the bus is released in two minutes. Despite the fast checks, it takes 12-15 minutes to exit the checkpoint. 08:25 – we leave. 08:40 – no checks at all at Jit Junction. The checkpoint is not manned and so there is no line growing – plus it is still semester break for students. There are less taxis. Sultan, the taxi dispatcher, is seeking financial help for a sick friend. We told him that only with a medical permit can we find out if there is a body that will help. He did not look very happy. 08:40 – coming out of Beit Iba, Jit Junction is without soldiers. At the entryway to the village there are concrete partitions serving as a block. No soldiers there, but we are told that yesterday afternoon there was a checkpoint with a very long line. Rachel, our guest, who is in contact with Zecharia about the transport of the sick, brought him a Haaretz supplement with an article about him, so we visited his home and were served coffee. 09:15 – leaving Jit in the direction of Anabta.