Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Nuaman, Tue 8.12.09, Afternoon

2:30 till 4:30 PM

General remark: winter weather with fog and rain. Chrismasis coming closer. Christians are applying for new magnetiic cards and permits inorder to visit family in Israel.

3:00 PM, Etzion DCL:  on the parking lot a bus, 6 private carswith Palestinian numbers. All the cars and the waiting hall are empty. The roomwas heated and the entrance door stood wide open.  The soldier behind the turnstile was wawinghis hand to me.

All the people who came with all the cars seemed to behidden somewhere,  where at least noobserver could observe.

After we had waited some time an older gentleman was comingin. He was a Medical Doctor and got sent to the Shabak promptly. A monk orpriest was entering the hall. He was immediately let behind the turnstile.

Maz Moriah - Nuaman:  on our way to the checkpoint Bethlehem we were crossing the checkpoint MazMoriah. For the first time we had to wait. Two cars in front of us were checkedthoroughly.

4:15 PM, Bethlehem - Checkpoint 300:  about 50 workers, ordered in two lanes were standing beforethe door. The soldiers at 4 counters were working fast so that the workers hadnot to wait for a long time. The civil guards seemed  friendly. One of themis accompanying a man into another room behind closed doors. After 10 minuteshe is coming back smiling.  The two womenwho are with him seem to feel relief.