Beit Iba

Beit Iba 27.1 AMObservers: Hadassa T, Esti S, Ruti V (reporting)At the junction of Shavei Shomron and Beit Iba an unannounced checkpoint. Police and army vehicles blocking the way, a line of cars behind them.8.30-10.30 – Beit IbaRapid and efficient passage. The commander is exceptional in his work methods and the atmosphere he creates. The detainees area is empty.A bus with high school students is detained because two students have no permits. The escort explains that they have been sick and so did not obtain permits. She herself is an impressive woman who lives in Nablus, speaks excellent English, studied in the US and is occupied, among other things, in setting up youth clubs, pinpointing candidates for leadership courses. Before the Intifada she was active in encounters of Israeli and Palestinian women for promotion of peace. The permits arrived and the bus continued on its way.An Israeli Arab tries to evade the line and go through to Nablus. One of the soldiers stops him, and he apologizes. He says his sister is in hospital in Nablus with cancer and gravely ill and he wants to visit her. We put him through to Tami and Sharon in Jerusalem who deal with public requests. They asked for all his and his sister’s details and said they would deal with it.