Bethlehem, Tue 3.11.09, Morning
06:15 AM, Bethlehem : strong winds, cold and rain greet those exiting the checkpoint. Scores of workers are waiting for transport and seeking shelter from the rain and wind.
On the path at the entrance to the checkpoint stands a group, singing in harmony songs of the revolution in French while the word “Palestine” is mentioned occasionally. Some of the workers looking for shelter are standing around and listening - an unusual and surprising picture...
Traffic is flowing, and we saw nothing exceptional. Many of the transients stayed in the crossing without coming out, because of the rain and cold.
The guards were courteous, allowing the stay in shelter, but occasionally trying to convince the workers to make way for people coming in.
07:30 AM: we left. The positions were open, almost no transients. Some of the workers decided to go home in the understanding that there would be no work outside on a day like this. Generally, apparently because of the choir's songs, the atmosphere was friendlier than usual...