Beit Iba, Tue 15.4.08, Afternoon

Natanya translating
 
14.40 At the entrance to the checkpoint are few cars and the checking is fairly fast. There are two checking posts and one humanitarian and there is not much overcrowding though people wait about an hour. Reservists are manning the poast and the commander asks us very nicely to leave the place as he is worried about our safety and we can look through binoculars to see what is happening. We stay there and about an hour later the military policeman who is religious with sidelocks and a long beard appears and speaks to the commander. The latter then demands again that we must leave the place otherwise he will take steps against us and the next time we must bring binoculars.

IF ONCE AGAIN HE DEMANDS THAT WE LEAVE WE MUST ASK FOR A COMMAND FROM THE MAJOR GENERAL  AND ALSO TO PHONE NAOMI LALO OR DAPHNA BANAI AND THEY WILL SEE TO IT THAT THE NECESSARY LEGAL STEPS ARE TAKEN.

One of those coming out of the checkpoint says that when we are not there the soldiers act horribly and one man came out limping and said that a few days ago he had been beaten by a soldier and had to have treatment at a hospital. The DCO who also met him said he should complain at the DCO office but he is evidently scared to do so.