Bethlehem, Fri 20.6.08, Morning

09.10 – 10.30 AM, Bethlehem Checkpoint:   It was completely quiet when we arrived, not even one shout was heard.  Later, there were a lot of people.   Two checking booths were already open, and a third was also opened.   No-one was denied passage through the checkpoint.   Even children, who at first it seemed would not be allowed through, were nevertheless permitted after a short telephone clarification.

Some of the Palestinians angrily told us that they had waited for a long time (they said 1 ½ hours) on the other side.   There is no doubt that the wait is nerve-racking and the humiliation of them having to take-off their belts is awful.   For us, in comparison with previous weeks, the situation was less terrible because the soldiers who were manning the positions didn’t raise their voices and didn’t harass people.   What a consolation!