Bethlehem, Tue 27.1.09, Morning

 06:30. Bethlehem CP: four windows were open. The soldiers in the booths were practically unemployed. At this hour – the silence and the idleness in the Israeli side (as opposed to the impossible crowding, pushing and shouting in the Palestinian side) are very noisy.

The DCL representative was willing enough to give us some (ridiculous) explanations to the unacceptable situation:The gate was open late, at 05:25 AM – due to technical reasons;Only one metal detector was operating – due to mechanical reasons;The crossing is very slow – due to security reasons.At 8:45, when we left, there were still many people waiting to cross. Many of them will miss (again) a very precious working day.