Bethlehem (300): Last Friday in Ramadan

Intense heat-wave, the first of the season

The Palestinian side:

This week, too, it took resourcefulness to get to our usual parking spot. Passage to the Palestinian side was simple, and till 10:00 I was the only observer. Only then did three girls from the Palestinian Broadcast show up,  they documented what was happening, and interviewed some of those going to pray.

The initial examination of the ID cards was done in three positions and later also by a DCO officer. A great many people were turned away, including a few young people who came back again and again in an attempt to cross. Unlike last week, the ID cards were not confiscated, but in plenty of cases the order to return to Bethlehem was accompanied by a shove, sometimes not so gentle. The disabled who were transferred in wheelchairs of the Red Crescent were also carefully examined. From time to time passage was stopped.

It turned out that the pressure (on the Israeli side) upon boarding the buses was such that they had to slow down the crossing in order to prevent a disaster. As the hour of prayer approached, the stream of worshipers increased. A cute little girl dressed in her best clothes suddenly found herself alone in the commotion. She looked at her surroundings with wonder and looked completely calm. A few minutes later the father appeared, who also seemed completely calm (compared to me who was almost seeing stars), picked up the little one and continued on his way.

The soldiers, armed from head to toe, roamed the area - mostly without much to do. The air conditioners installed a few years ago were in use today, easing at least the initial transition. Unlike previous weeks, two lanes were opened today on the way from the checkpoint to the compound's entrance, but only one gate opened at the entrance and the crowding was unbearable. I couldn’t reach the women's crossing, but through several women’s reports I learned that the crossing was fast and the only problems occurred while boarding the buses. The distance between the checkpoint and where the women disembark to get there is short, but it’s an ascent, and in the heat that prevailed today it must have been very difficult.

The Israeli side:

In order to move to the Israeli side without being pushed and shoved, some help from the "forces" was required, and they obliged, with the customary badmouthing, so I was associated with "Those UN’nicks who are only happy only when we are killed", but there is always the half full glass - I passed.

I was greeted by a world riot. Crowds rushing, running to the buses. This time, Palestinian inspectors lost control of the situation - which required a massive intervention by the police and Border Police.  Egged contributed several buses for the holiday. One of them broke down and could not be moved from the middle of the road, and the wait, albeit short, for the repair unit, created havoc.  Finally the bus was towed aside  and people got back on the buses (price of the trip - 6 NIS). There was no separation between men and women.

A boy wearing a black shirt with the caption “M16” and a drawing of the rifle caught my attention. Only later did I notice that many of those going to prayer wore such shirts and many more wore hats with the drawing and inscription. Three young Palestinian girls decided to "teach me a lesson." They stood very close to me, mocking and photographing me constantly. The feeling was uncomfortable, but who am I to complain?

A group of Chabadniks on their way to Rachel's Tomb was denied passage. An ugly argument developed between them and the Border Police (Druze). My car was blocked in the parking lot and so I was obliged to stay by default, witnessing the back-and-forth. When my patience ran out I approached one of the men who looked like he was the head of the group and tried to explain to him that until the end of the passage for prayer there is no entrance to the area. The “pearls” that came out of his mouth in retort were many, followed by the  women who outdid him. Eventually, with the police’s intervention they were allowed to pass. Have we already said Lords of the Land?

And what about human rights and the freedom of prayer? Should they be postponed until next Ramadan?  Massive heat hangs in the air, and a fire ravages the heart.