Afternoon

We reached the checkpoint at 15:15. There were people detained on both sides. There were Border Policemen & two soldiers from the "humanitarian" unit. On both pedestrian sides there were detainees who were released quite quickly. We could not approach the checkpoint on either side. The commander prevented us from reaching the Palestinians, or being able to observe the happenings from a realistic distance.We phoned Border Police headquarters in Bethlehem to try to find out a solution,without success, the pretext being that it is being done for our own safety.Two soldiers were standing in the post, shouting and pointing their guns at thePalestinians who tried to cross through the Wadi. Some passed, and some turned back.We drove to El-Khadr. The entrance was defined by two concrete posts, the people who wished to enter were checked, by the soldiers, in a more appropriate attitude.There was a long queue, and the check was done quietly .There were no detainees on either side.