Beit Iba

Beit Iba, 6.2 AMObservers: Dafna A, Naomi K (reporting)8.45 – The checkpoint is surrounded by puddles and mud, but despite the heavy rain there is considerable pedestrian traffic. The soldiers are pleasant, and efficient.Two young detainees are awaiting DCO permits. We tried to speed them up but without success. A man of about 40 came over to us, he owns an upholstery workshop near the checkpoint on the Nablus side. He lives in one of the villages and has a pedestrrian passage permit, but his vehicle permit, which he needs for his work, was taken away two weeks ago by one of the arbitrary sweeping orders. Despite his daily phone calls to the DCO, it has not been renewed. I contacted the DCO and was told they know the story and will try to speed up the process. I advised the man to call me if the permit was not given within two days.When we left,the commander called us over and asked why we don’t complain to the army about the rivers of mud and water all around.