Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Sun 31.1.10, Morning

7:00 AM, Bethlehem - Checkpoint  300: Today the crossing is going smoothly. People outside report satisfaction (why not every day?) We walk inside and find four windows open. After a short while one closes. The EAPPI report that 2184 people have crossed so far and appr. 300 are still on the other side.

7:20 All have reached the departure point into Jerusalem. There are lines, but crossing is quick.

8:15 AM, Etzion DCL: The reception inside has not yet begun. About 10-15 men are waiting in the waiting room. We call the humanitarian hotline to ask them to request to begin reception and within a minute the soldier at the window calls out to the people waiting and they all go inside. (Whether or not our telephone call did this wonder is a dubious question...) Some people come up to us to ask for help in their blacklisting situation.