Bethlehem, Tue 24.8.10, Morning

6:40 am, Bethlehem - Checkpoint 300: cars and buses clog the street, people outside tell us it is not a good morning. And, indeed, it appears to be one of the worst mornings to enter Jerusalem from Bethelehem.  Only three checking stations are open. A new guard tells us that we cannot stand further than a meter from the wall in the hall. We told him our experience there, but tried not to be in the way of people exiting. He was  quick to  complain about us to a policeman who came through. The policeman ignored him, and so he did get the message. Phonecalls were made to find soldiers to open other checking staions, and to all those who could help the situation. The main problem seemed to be at the Bethlehem entrance where people waited over an hour to begin the passage. At 7:50 another checking station was finally opened. At 8:15 am 2,156 people had passed through. A very frustrating morning.