Beit Iba

Beit Iba Wednesday PM, 9.02.05Observers: Sarah P., Raya, Hadas T. (reporting)Guest: Shosh R.The excitement which greeted us was strange. If we closed our eyes, it would have been possible to think that it was coming from fans on a soccer court, shouting encouragement to their team. We noticed that there was a new atmosphere among the Palestinians, and the few conversations which we had confirmed this impression. The other conspicuous change was the absence of frightened expressions on their faces, even accompanied by a smile at times. I hope we aren't imagining this.One of the reserve soldiers who was responsible at the time "defined" the area where we were allowed to stand. According to him it was by order of the General Command and the police. Our request to see this order put an end to the business. In the detention shed there were 5 detainees who were released shortly, except for a youth from Sarra whose inspection was delayed, but also he was released a bit later. 7 detainees in the direction of Cotzin (spelling?) and Sarra, because of a mistake or ignorance of the rules of one of the soldiers at the checkpoint; he was quickly released. The number of people passing through from Nablus was quite large, both because it happened to be Wednesday, when the students return home and because it was a holiday on the next day, New Year's.The pressure on the turnstiles in the middles caused delays and the soldiers' requests to move back, in order to allow it to revolve, didn't help. But, despite all this, and the fact that for the soldiers at the checkpoint this was their first Wednesday (they said that they hadn't expected so much pressure), the passage was pretty smooth and quick, especially since after the visit of the DCO representative, B., more soldiers were added at the inspection stations. There were no surprise roadblocks on the way, the passage at Shavey Shomron was open, without any inspections.