PM

Abu Dis, Waadi Naar (container)Thurs. Jan. 22, 2004 observers: Sima S., Nurit S. (reporting) It was very cold and raining. We drove to Abu Dis via Maale Edumim. There is no sign of a checkpoint at the entrance to Azariya during the afternoon. We could not approach the wall on from this side as the whole area is blocked off with betonadot and soldiers preventing entrance. We drove to the Sawarhe Checkpoint (Waadi Naar) and were greeted there by a friendly checkpoint commander Ayal (think) who is a professional officer and speaks Arabic.There were two cars both filled with workers from Yaata (south of Hebron) who had spent the last two weeks in Mishor Adumim working in constuction and wanted to go home for the weekend. They had all the necessary permits for themselves but not for their car. They were told that they could pass the checkpoint,but not their car. They told us that they tried to get a permit for their car, and their employer also tried, at the Hebron DCO, but they were refused. Despite this, they managed to pass this very checkpoint with their car two weeks previously.The restriction on cars going through this checkpoint has been in force for the last two months, we were told. The checkpoint commander told us that he had requested permission from his superiors to allow these two cars, and two others that had given up and turned back, but did not get it. He had obviously made a sincere effort and supported our efforts to get him an order to let them pass with their cars. We called everybody. Some people we spoke to simply said that such permission could not be given. OTHER PLACES WE CALLED SAID THAT THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO TALK TO US.!!!!!!!!!!!!!??????? One woman we spoke to (Shiri) really tried to help. After about an hour or more, the commander took care of the problem and they passed.There were other detainees during our watch. They had to wait about 15-30 min. for their IDs which were checked and then returned. We were approached by three students (Palestinians) who told us that they are studying film and journalism and would like to make a student film about Israeli peace groups. They expressed their appreciation and admiration and wanted the address of our Website and our e-mail addresses. We gave it them. There were three of them. Very nice kids, I thought. One of them said that we are not aware of how much the Palestinian people want peace with us. To emphasize his point, he told us that he is well aware THAT THE SHIN BET [Israeli Security Service] DRESSES PEOPLE UP AS HAMASNIKS AND SUGGESTS TO IGNORANT YOUNG PALESTINIANS TO GO ON A SUICIDE BOMBING MISSION!!!!!!!!!! THEN THEY SEND OUT WARNINGS AND CATCH THEM!!!!!! THIS IS THE REASON THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CAPTURE SO MANY SUICIDE BOMBERS ON THEIR WAY TO AN ATTACK!!!!!! (I later spoke to somebody who is involved in peace work who thought this could well be true) We returned through Kidar. We wanted to visit Southern Kidar, just to see what was there, and the soldier guarding the settlement said that if we don't live there, we are not allowed to enter. I wonder what they have there.