Beit Iba, Thu 12.2.09, Morning

8.00 Shave Shomron

The passage is open and soldiers check now and again. The one lane has been dismantled and one can at last travel freely.

8.15 Beit Iba

2 checking areas for exiting vehicles and there is a short line the whole time. Donkey carts have the baggage checked. Everything is taken off and now and again plastic bags are torn open and the dogtrainer and dog check. We are told that she is new and is having training on the spot and so some times a line of carts wait 15 minutes to pass. In other words this is on the Palestinians' time. The entrance to Nablus by car or on foot is open. At the exit pedestrians are checked. Belts are taken off and anything which whistles but there is no line and not many going through. Cars leaving are all checked except for residents of Nablus who need a permit.

A man with a computer comes from Nablus and stands in the humanitarian line. He has to open the walls of the laptop and can only then go through.