Beit Ummar, Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Wed 15.7.09, Morning
06.50 AM, Bethlehem - Rachel’s Crossing: the traffic is sparse and flows OK. Only two inspection stations are open at this hour but there are no queues. An elderly man comes to the exit station with a document for a medical appointment, with an earlier date. He asks to be allowed to go to a hospital in East Jerusalem for treatment to his leg. He doesn’t have a referral or an approval. He does not get a permit and returns home. If there were a doctor at the DCL perhps it would be possible to give him a transit permit; he is so helpless and miserable.
Etzion DCL: the usual situation. People come to renew their magnetic cards and some of them ask to pass through the checkpoint.
Al Arov, Beit Ummar: the army is not present and there is no harassment ; “We are pleased with Obama ”.