Azzun, Beit Iba, Jit, Tue 3.6.08, Morning

Natanya translating.

Beit Iba, 6.30 – 8.20  On the way there we see a relatively short line of workers and cars at the Eliyahu crossing and at the checkpoint of Qalqiliya. Azun we were happy to see was open. At the crossroads of Jit  Israeli flags still fly proudly in honour of Yom Haatzmaut.

When we got to Beit Iba a group of young men had just been checked and warned. Everyone is standing far from the red line  which is some metres from where the soldiers is checking them on the list. Because there is no separate line of the women they do not know where to stand  and so some do so at the end of the line and others try to pass in various other directions. The Palestinians stand aside and let the women pass . At the checking area there are more soldiers who seem to know what they are dong and are calm. When a line forms the commander comes to help or lets the older people through without checking. When we leave there is little movement evidently because of the student holidays. At the entrance to Nablus are also few people. Belts are taken off and the traffic streams. Few cars which pass steadily.