Bethlehem, 300, Beit Umar, DCO Ezyon, Tuesday, 13.9.2005 PMWatchers: Yael I. Ruth A. (reporting)Already from a distance we saw an impressive amount of Israeli cars parked at the entrance to the checkpoint with flags flying, army flags, border police? The fences and walls of the checkpoint have been newly painted. The sergeant answered us politely that the cars belonged to those doing the work at the checkpoint and in preparation for a visit by the chief of staff or his adjudant. No detainees but an Israeli driver from Jabal Muchtar whose car had been confiscated for driving illegals. He was told to come and get his car but had to wait until 5 pm. The interesting thing is that the driver had asked to appear in court in lieu of his car being confiscated. The judge had ruled that his car should be returned to him because the illegals had not been caught in it even though he admitted that they had traveled with him. The laws of the land are weird. Beit Umar We went as usual to the shop of Abu Nisim with the reports and this time he seemed calm and smiling as usual and not as the previous week. We were all horrified at the amount of fines which had been imposed and the amounts. One of the men had paid 2700 shekel and another had 54 fines to pay. It is hard to understand the large number of fines and also how they are going to be paid. Abu Nisim said that to pay these fines people would have to sell their homes. DCO EzyonThere were no people in the hut, but six at the windows. They had already been standing there for half an hour without anyone taking notice of them. A quick call to Azhar did wonders and within a few minutes they were dealt with and came out with smiles on their faces and everything that they needed. We were embarrassed at all the thanks we received. We feel that Azhar wants to satisfy us as before we left he called us to ask if everything was satisfactory. Is it right that for people to receive the proper service we have to be present? On the way back we went through the X checkpoint, which was not manned, into Har Gilo for a moment and went on our way wondering at the distance that is shortening between Har Gilo and the Walleja.