Bethlehem, Tue 22.3.11, Morning

06.45  Bethlehem – Checkpoint 300:   people were fed-up because they have been waiting a long time. According to one of those crossing, the humanitarian entrance was opened only at 05.30. Most of the time, there was a steady flow of people through the crossing. Four inspection stations were operating, and close to 08.00 am another one was opened.

We were here after  two days of closure, during which people could not work.  At the main entrance people were let in group-by-group and they were very much on-edge.

Suddenly there appeared opposite us an ecumenical person (volunteer) who presented us to a group of six tourists from the USA who came on behalf of the protestant church. They were full of appreciation for our actions and said that they would tell their friends that “the Americans don’t know anything about what goes on here”.

There was still a long queue at 08.00