Bethlehem 26/6/06AfternoonObservers:Shlomit S. and Yael S.- reporting The soldier said: “I won’t allow you to do that.” Ezyon DCO: we arrived at 14:00Magnetic cards: almost all of those who needed a magnetic card had already been taken care of, no one was denied his request besides one person- but he didn’t complain. This morning 80 numbers were handed out. At three o’clock those who were waiting in hope that the soldiers might hand out more numbers during the after noon, were told that there wouldn’t be another distribution of numbers. They were told to come the next day- maybe tomorrow they will receive a waiting number… Permits:The amount of people waiting for permits was larger the usual… there were at least 20.Medical permits: the soldiers didn’t give preference to those who needed a medical permit. Today as well a woman with cancer had arrived (looking very ill), her brother escorted her, and a mute woman and her daughter needed a one day permit to get an eye treatment, was also there. I tried telling them that they don’t have to bring the ill person with them when they are coming to ask for a permit, relatives can hand in the papers alone and get the permit.There was an upset young man there; the doctor told him he must have an operation in Jerusalem and gave him an invitation for three days. The man was upset because he had to wait, because he needed a permit to receive medical treatment, and because he could not get this treatment in the occupied territories. Work:We encountered the usual problem with people who work in the church, merchants and all other workers who receive their permits according to quota- all the quotas are full. The DCO: the toilets stink… and you have to go by them when you come into the DCO. The fans were on- but they couldn’t ease the unbearable heat. The horrible loudspeakers were mostly silent. There was water in the water cooler and it came out in a very slow flow. Efrat south- The checkpoint was unmanned- two more months to the Ramadan- and again this CP will be used to obstruct and detain people on their way home to break the fast. El Nashnash passage- We parked our car near the cement rocks and went to talk to those whose income had been damaged by the change of location. When we got back we saw an army jeep with two soldiers, they asked us if the car was ours. We said it was, and they answered that we can’t park there.- There is no sign on the road, “who said I can’t park?” I inquired. – “I don’t want you to stand here”, said the soldier. Because our soldiers are such heros, they have an unlimited power to make and enforce their own rules. The Tunnel checkpoint: there was no special event.Checkpoint 300- Rahel passage- we arrived there with a group of about 70 workers, and only one reception counter was manned. Very quickly another counter was opened, and everyone passed after 10 minutes.