Bethlehem, Tue 18.1.11, Morning

Bethlehem– Checkpoint 300: after a long period during which we have become used to a quick and trouble-free crossing, today we encountered a rerun of previous bad days.

Outside there are very many employers’ vehicles waiting for their workers to come through. Inside, 5 inspection stations are operating; their tempo is slow but efficient and there is no irritability. The people arrive at the exit wave-after-wave, which indicates that the problem is apparently that they are taken in through the first passages.

Those passing through, who have become unused to long hold-ups and having to wait, point out that today they are having to wait a long time to get to the exit.