בית לחם (300
Bethlehem 30 May, 2014
Clair Oren
09:20 to 10:40
Three open windows, a short queue of Palestinians. 2 security guards. At the gate stands an Ecumenical volunteer.
Shortly after I arrived I heard someone tell the guards on the radio "Tell her to get out…” or something along these lines. I didn’t immediately understand this was referred to me but the security guards turned to me and said:
- Did you hear?
- What??
- You should not be here. You must get out.
- You know I'm allowed to be here and that I always stand here.
- There are new procedures and now it’s forbidden.
- Call the commander and you’ll see that you are wrong.
- I'm in command here.
When I refused to leave the security guards ordered the soldiers to stop checking and letting people pass. I was furious and of course left (I certainly would not want Palestinians to wait longer because of me). This triggered a wave of laughter, applause and ridicule from the guards.
I called the center; they suggested I talk to the ombudsman. Alon promised to check and get back to me. He indeed called back and said that there must be a new instruction; it is still unclear who gave the order and why. He will find out but doesn’t promise to get back with an answer today.