Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal), Fri 12.10.07, Morning

We crossed over to the Palestinian side of the passage. Most of the shops in Al-Ezariya were closed, and the people in the street were all dressed well, the children in their best cloths, the boys in "bar mitzva" suits, the girls with many ribbons and colorful belts. All are carrying gifts to relatives, and the atmosphere is special.

It is Id El Fiter (Muslim holiday) and the passage is empty. We found out that the "easy passage" on Fridays during Ramadan is over, and now, whoever wants to visit relatives needs a special permit. Of course, most of the older people who tried to cross and visit families in Jerusalem did not know about it and though, as we did, that they will be allowed to have the holiday with their families. The few who arrived at the checkpoint turned to us, asking for help. We tried every possiblility - Elisha from the DCO, Zidki, the spokesman of the governing authority, the spokesman of the military commander of the region, MP R.C., and we discovered, again, that nothing is more effective than beaurocracy. These are the laws, and according to them the occupation will live or fall.

Families were sitting in the waiting shed, and when they lost hope to make the holiday with their family, festivities started in the waiting shed. We were happy to be included, and we ate sweets and drank coffee.

This mischief will be added to all the others done during forty years of occupation, and we succeeded in adding more hateful people to the long list of Palestinians who will never forget what we were doing to them during the occupation!