Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Tue 7.4.09, Afternoon

General situation: the day before Passover (Pessach), the Media was spreading information that there would be a complete closure at the checkpoints to and from Israel.. 

Haaretz was reporting on that very day, that permits of the Westbank Palestinians would be withdrawn (and limited), while the Prime Minister was announcing that it will be easier to obtain passing permits.

15.30 PM Etzion DCL: There were 6 Palestinian cars parked with some people waiting in the cars and 6 people waiting outside . Those we spoke to, told us that they were Christians, applying for permits to visit their relatives in Israel for the Easter and Good Friday.
A man told us that he was waiting for his permit since 8 o'clock in the morning. Those permits, he said, are usually given out by the churches. The churches are  listing the names of their members who are intending to visit family for the traditional Easter visits in Israel. These lists have been sent out to the DCL for approval.

It happens frequently that permits are not issued or that they are sent to the wrong churches (from private source of information - a friend who is married to a Pastor in the Westbank).

The waiting man, who told us about the role of the churches in the permit procedures,said, that the churches "lost the permits." Before we left we observed that some of the waiting people were successful and got their passing permit. One family did not get a permit for their father.

16:30 PM, Bethlehem Checkpoint:  the checkpoint was not clossed. Three counters were open. Some people (no tourists) were passing without difficulties in spite of the Media information..