Bethlehem

Bethlehem (Checkpoint 300) and environs

Observers: N.E., Y. E.. R. E., A. K. and photographer
M.

It was the first day of Eid El Fitr.

CP 300. very few cars and pedestrians passing. Those who do pass
towards Jerusalem have to pick up their shirts before approaching
the soldiers. Cp is manned by army.

Road 60 - here is hardly any Palestinian traffic, just the regular
settler one.

Palestinian alternative to road # 60. we end up back on road # 60.
it was the wrong way...

turning back, we find the route we were looking for. It is a turn
south after Efrata. It is not such a bad road but after a few
kilometers it is blocked by concrete. People wanting to pass going
south, have to go through the olive grove. A young transit driver
from a village near by says this used to be a CP up until 3 months
ago, now it is just blocked.

CP by Takoa - on the way one can see the new Liberman road being
built. CP is in the village south of the settlement of Takoa -
manned by a " brigade 50" unit. When we arrive the is
some commotion: a officer took a toy gun from one of the children.
Everyone tries to convince him to return it to the kid. Apparently,
the kid and his mother are terrified of the soldiers. We try to
convince the officer to return the toy to the boy, but are yelled
at and he says that because we are not in charge of people lives,
we are ignorant about what we are doing...he is referring to the
shooting in El-Khader last week. After some more arguments he
returns the toy to the villagers.( we have done such good work-
saving a toy for a child...)

DCO- by Etzion junction: about 30 people waiting to give their
papers or to get their permits. When we arrive, 2 windows are open
and giving service after 15 minutes one closes. People cannot reach
the officer behind the window, but have to stand half a meter away
and shout through a speaker. On a regular day ( not holiday) there
are many people. one man says 160. The windows open and close all
the time and for no apparent reason.