Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Mon 19.11.07, Morning

Route 60, Beit Anun, Ezyon DCL

07:45 Nashash

The traffic is flowing. Few Palestinians waited for us with paper work issues. 

08:00 Beit-Omer

Here to, only a few people ask for our help
   

08:30 Beit-Anun

Groups cross the busy street. A lot of traffic is apparent. Scary. 

09:00 Nebi-Yunas

The place turned in to a busy intersection. Numerous cars, taxis, trucks etc. few people approach us for help with licenses that have not been returned to them.  

10:00 Ezyon DCL

Idit has been here for an hour, and it seems the DCL is not functioning. A few people are waiting and nothing is happening. There is construction work going on. A new big sign states the opening hours and phone numbers of the DCL. No one is currently answering the phones, we called Dani and he confirmed that the phones will be disconnected for the following two weeks due to the construction work. We strongly suggested a notice about this be put up, and we were promised it would be taken care of. Another problem we found was that Maher, the only policeman who can issue permits, does not have regular working days. According to Dani, it cannot be coordinated when Maher will be in his office and when Fares, the other policeman who does not issue permits, will be there. So the people needing to see him will just have to depend on their luck when they arrive, or return another time.

Even when the phones are connected it is hard to get through since they are not regularly manned. We suggested there be a regular time for answering the phones, and Dani said that is impossible. The Sunday hours of activity, written on the sign, are inaccurate. According to Dani, the police officer works on Sunday from 11:00 am. From our experience, often noon is more realistic.

Many people are called in for GSS questioning. Few are waiting for magnetic cards. some people have been waiting for over two hours, and so called the offices again, and then they were all let in. The place was simply not operating and the soldier at the window was exceptionally rude.

It is harder to receive permits to get to Hadassah hospital in Jerusalem. To get a permit one must submit a request from the Palestinian authority and bring a special detailed medical letter, explaining why the procedure needs to be done in Hadasa hospital. Chronically sick people, who have been waiting for some time for permits, need to go through this process every over and over again. And if someone has been to Hadassah, for treatment or for an operation, it is not clear whether they will be able to obtain a new permit. These new restrictions  and stringent regulations is not very beneficial for ones health.