Beit Iba

Beit Iba Sat.19.2 AMObseervers: Adina A, Nurit S (reporting)8.30-9.45On our way in the Nablus direction, we were stopped by a border policeman at the checkpoint near Qalqiliya who asked to see a driver’s licence and vehicle licence. We showed them to him although we weren’t sure he had the authority.The checkpoint has undergone changes again and there are added gates in the checking area and at the detainees compound.As we arrived, the commander identified himself and demanded that we stand at a distance, because this was his area. We said that we always stand close to the checking area but he said he was there now and insisted that we move. One of the soldiers (they are reservists) said we were disturbing him at his work and should go.To avoid confrontations we moved and called the DCO. After fifteen minutes an officer arrived, who seemed to be in charge and told us we could stand wherever we chose but in case “things warmed up” we would have to move.In general traffic was flowing, and there were no detainees when we arrived. Later there were 2, released within 10 minutes and when we left there was one who waited fifteen minutes (we don’t know when he was released).Three students who wanted to go to the American University in Jenin were not allowed through by the soldiers because they had no permits. The DCO representative who checked the case was no help and they had to return to Nablus.On the way back we passed a checkpoint near Kadum which had not been there before.