Mornong

The checkpoint was totally closed except for one UN car that left Bethlehem. Six men had been detained but after (because?) we asked why they were kept facing the wall, they had their documents returned and left, presumably to try again to "infiltrate."One pavement at the entrance has been repaired , whether because this is the side motorists see as they enter or because there wasn't enough time to repair both? At any rate, the sight was anything but festive.We continued to El Khadr. Here there was lively movement of people alighting from busses and making their way some with huge bundles (merchandise?) to the taxis waiting on the other side of the barrier. Taxi-drivers were offering drives, in addition to Bethlehem ( I think that the curfew was lifted for the holiday) , to Ramallah - and Jerusalem. It seems they feel confident about reaching Jerusalem, even if not through the tunnel. The soldiers on duty were not checking anyone. A few of them were genuinely interested in Machsomwatch - and we gave them the website address.Gush Etzion checkpoint is very highly developed with numerous standpoints for soldiers - but was quiet when we got there.Coming back via Bet Jalla, we chatted with some taxi-drivers who were waiting to give tourists rides to Bethlehem (It being Christmas Eve they hopeful of having a lot of business). One of them gleefully told us how he had spent the previous day enjoying Tel Aviv - He had dodged all the checkpoints to get there and it took him 2 and a half hours to reach TA, but it was lovely!