Beit Iba, Mon 28.1.08, Morning

07.20 The outpost of Svut Ami is deserted but surrounded by proclamations. Jit is open and we go on to Shave Shomron as we do from time to time and see the wall which surrounds the settlement and the road on which Palestinians may not travel. We did not see detainees.

07.45 Beit Iba. When we got there there was one bus but by the time we had had something to drink at the kiosk there were 7 but the checking was quick and there was no dog trainer.  At the exit of Nablus there were  two cars and  checking was quick.

At 08.00 at the pedestrian lane there were few people leaving Nablus. The magnometer squeaks  but people are not called back. In the humanitarian line they are very strict about only those of over 45 years old passing. 44 and a half is no good. There are no detainees and  at the entrance only a few people. Basam of the DCO says that this is because of a change in the university curriculum.

The commander, A. is so happy that we stand next to " his turnstile",  his words and says we must move  and when we do he runs with another soldier to the taxi drivers and we move back to where we were before and where we always stand.

08.40 Trucks with jeans, sofas and large parcels pass today with no problems. The soldier says he knows them and checks at random.  A bus full of people leaving Nablus passes and the passengers are not checked or told to alight. 

Something new at the checkpoint.   Chains on the road and traffic lights. We also saw many enormous trucks with Israeli number plates entering Nablus.  We could not see what they were carrying.

09.00 We went back to the pedestrian area where there were slightly more people entering Nablus but quickly. The magnometer squeaks. Parcels are checked but the line does not grow

09.15  We leave. Cold, wet. Nothing terrible happened just the usual depression.