Beit Iba

Beit Iba, Monday, 1.1.07 AM Observers: Osnat R, Naomi L, Roni S (reporting) On the way to Beit Iba we enter Shavei Shomron Checkpoint in the wild hope that, in the light of the declarations about eased conditions for the Palestinians, perhaps the way has opened to Jenin. There is no sign of it! The tower is not manned by soldiers and we wonder about travel to the village above Deir Sharaf, but as we drive into Deir Sharaf, we see a new paved road. 08:10 Beit IbaVery light traffic of cars and pedestrians in both directions. A military policewoman, chewing gum, does not answer our greeting, nor does she relate to the single man standing before the checking station, not daring to pass without a check. Eventually she waves her hand for him to pass. A soldier arrives and tells us aggressively that we have crossed the white line. I point out to him that he is mistaken, and later we circulate freely in the empty checkpoint and it seems that in the exit from Nablus there are also almost no cars. No lines in either direction, and only random ID checks. A taxi driver that I know reports that there are no soldiers at Jit Junction. He hopes that today is a sign of things to come, and we part with a wish for Eid Said – a happy holiday! 08:40 – we leave in the hope that the eased conditions are not only because of the holiday, but will continue and improve even more.