Beit Iba, Jit, Sun 2.12.07, Afternoon

 Driving towards our destination, the sky seems to be getting darker and darker, drearier and drearier, and as I expected not only the weather, the occupation is gloomy and sad.  More closure, curfew, restrictions and endless waiting, yet the army actually thinks that a renovated checkpoint will make the Palestinians happy and brighten up their lives.    

14:17 Jit Junction 

Coming down from Jit on route 55, we see a jeep across the road, the traffic seems to be flowing except going in the direction of Jit, and we hear that there is no one allowed to continue except for Jit residents with the proper IDs. 

15:00 Beit Iba 

The new renovated CP is opened; there are two turnstiles and one humanitarian line accommodating women and men over 45 years of age. We notice that the new roof is a bit short; when it rains, it will run right down on the people passing from the humanitarian line.  

The commander K. comes over to us and asks us to stand away, out of the CP, we tell him, as it is we cannot see anything; we try to get closer to the soldiers that are checking bags and IDs to be able to see what is going on.  They are doing a thorough check of the contents of the bags emptying out everything. 

There are few vehicles; but many soldiers, we count 15, the Matak is one of them, the soldiers are standing around in groups of 3 – 4 chit chatting.  One has an earpiece in his ear, lends one to his friend to listen to and they both make body gestures to the music.  

 The Matak is trying to be pleasant and helpful to the Palestinians and is quite chatty with us.  He is very proud of the new renovated CP, and thinks the ‘Palestinians should be happy with their new, spacious CP.’