Beit Ummar, Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Mon 27.6.11, Morning
7.00 am, Bethlehem – Checkpoint 300: already from afar we could see the signs: enormous numbers of vehicles waiting to pick up workers, meaning that workers were getting through the checkpoint late this morning. And, indeed, everyone complained about the crowds on the Bethlehem side still waiting to enter. Women complained that the humanitarian gate was not opened and they had to come through with the men. We phoned the Moked and for a few minutes there seemed to be an improvement but we don’t know how long this lasted.
An army jeep drove past with the soldiers calling out the Hebrew equivalent of ‘get away from here.’ Seeing that the carpark is now reserved for ‘security vehicles’, although it is practically empty, it is hard to see where else people can wait or park their cars.
7.50 am, Etzion DCL: over 20 people were waiting in the carpark for the station to open, which it did at 8.00. One man, who had come very early, told us that soldiers had made them leave and wait down on the road until 7.30. This was the first time such a thing had happened – is it a new directive?
8.15 am, Beit Ummar: two men refused permits, one by Security. The other did not know why, so he would have to go to the Palestinian DCO.
Chaya ascertained that there was a police officer at all the DCO’s so she could recommend to a couple of people who phoned to go for their ‘papers.’
At Husan and Nebi Yunis there were no clients. As we had time to spare we drove on the road to ‘Hebron-Kiryat Gat. A very fine but almost empty road, serves the settlements Adora and Telem. One Palestinian truck came out of the (only?) exit from Hebron on to this road.