Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Mon 27.4.09, Afternoon
Etzion DCL: on the way I received a phone call from an acquaintance to say that his bus, together with others, could not exit Bethlehem: a phone call to the Centre, opened another entry/exit and there was no further call.
Recently I have been getting calls from checkpoints about delays, etc.At the DCL, there were two and a half people – with two waiting for Shabak and others waiting for people being interrogated by Shabak.
A woman needing a medical permit arrived and said that this morning they sent her to Bethlehem for Palestinian coordination. They signed her papers and sent her back to the Israeli DCL. She left after quarter of an hour with the requisite permits.
More permits for holders of Palestinian IDs living on the wrong side of the fence (Greater Jerusalem), and who need permits to live in their own homes – nervous because “it’s already two weeks since we submitted the request.”
Today is the festival of Nebi Shua. The officers responding on the phone promised to make an effort that the Palestinians get their permits.
And another Nazareth woman told us that her husband is from the West Bank, and they have problems at the Jordan Valley checkpoints on the way – and she gave us candies.