Bethlehem (300)
8:50 to 10:10
Most of the time only one window is open. When there is pressure another window is opened.
The Palestinians are relaxed and smiling (?). The security guard speaks Arabic (the first one – the one who replaced him does not speak Arabic).
One person was rejected - GSS prevented.
People do not talk about pressure or delays on Bethlehem’s side.
There are no Ecumenical volunteers today.
A surprise at the entrance to the checkpoint: The entire inner wall is covered with huge pictures of sites in Jerusalem. Perhaps it is just before Christmas and New Year's Day, and maybe it will stay that way afterwards.
Conspicuous are pictures of the tears’ wall and the memory page of Yad Vashem. I do not think I saw the Dome of the Rock or the Al-Aqsa mosque but maybe I did not dwell long enough.