06:50 AM, Bethlehem - Checkpoint 300: the road was crammed with traffic -cars waiting for workmen on their way to work. The crossing was very slow.Within – 4 checking-booths were occupied though only three were actuallyfunctioning - booth No. 2 was not operating. Once we directed people to it aqueue formed there; the passer at this booth has to criss-cross his hands inorder to have them checked and present his Tasrih (permit) – in contrastto the plain presentation at the other booths. This procedure is far lengthierthan at the other booths.

The pace of crossing is very slowand the lack of sufficient checking points is clearly obvious.

Outside - only one checking point isfunctioning and both men and women are crossing through it.

The people there are enraged. Theyremarked that the day before was fine but "today it is terrible". Wehad

conflicting evidence regarding thesize of the queue at the other side. We attempted to contact the Eucumenists aswe hoped they would be able to assist us as they had in the past: but apparentlythey are unavailable on Tuesdays.

 

8:10 AM, Etzion DCL: a queue of some10 people was forming outside the facility. We called to inquire the cause ofthe delay. Gadi replied that he "would open up whenever he thought fit…why do they show up at 4:30?" Indeed, at 8:17 the doors opened. None ofthe applicants needed our assistance.