Bethlehem, Tue 19.1.10, Afternoon

2:30 PM till 4:00 PM

Because of predicted bad weather with thunderstorm and heavy rain we were only observing the checkpoint in Bethlehem.

3:00 PM, Bethlehem - Checkpoint 300:  Palestinian workers and employees began going home to the territories. Most of them were coming by bus and so far in groups of passengers bus after bus. The soldiers were opening first 3 , then 4 counters. One of the female soldiers was eating all the time. Another one was talking to a comrade. At this counter an older gentleman  was not allowed to pass. It was evident that the man was sick. He did not get a seat for waiting, but had to sit on and to lean at a bar before the counter. For sitting on the floor - what he tried - it was too cold. After a while the female  soldier started to telephone. I was trying to get some information from the man, but he did not speak English or Hebrew. We were attempting to reach the Humanitarian hotline (in my register the number is 02-9977733 or 34), but to no avail. There was first a tone and then silence.The same thing was happening with the number of Matak (02-9703762). Before we could try more telephone calls the man came to us, had a paper in one hand and with the other shook our hands to thank us.

I do believe that the man was feeling a bit protected and supported  because I -and later Avital too - were all the time close to him.. That might have inspired also the soldier to hurry up, but this I don't know.