Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Wed 11.11.09, Morning

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Observers: 
Aviva W., Rama Y. (reporting)
Nov-11-2009
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Morning

06:30 AM, Bethlehem - Checkpoint 300: four checking posts were open. The lines, as happens only too often in this CP, were remarkably short - never more than four people at a time waiting in line. The pressure, as usual, was on the other side, from where we could hear shouts of anger. This went on until 07:15. People coming out said that one of the two turnstiles usually functioning (never all the three!) was closed for some reason time and again, and the crowding was terrible. We called the IDF Humanitarian Center. Maybe they managed to do something about it; anyhow around 07:15 people began at last flowing in, long lines formed in front of the checking posts, passage was quite quick, and by 07:45 the CP was empty both sides. Hard to understand why this happens again and again in this CP.

 

Two men were refused passage, one for ”security” reasons; the other's work permit was confiscated, no reasons given, and no explanation what he was supposed to do about it. One of the guardians was nice enough and told the man to go to the DCL.
 

 

08:15 AM, Etzion DCL:  about twenty people, including the two men refused passage in Bethlehem CP. The man whose permit had been taken at the CP was the first asked in, but he did not come out until we left at 09:30. The other man received a brand new magnetic card, but he was quite aware of the fact that this didn't mean in any way that that he was not any longer a “security risk.”