Afternoon

Bethlehem’s checkpoint is clean and neat for Christmas. We were cordially met by an officer of the Army Spokesman who was sent to take care of the of the press.There is no curfew in town. We understand that there is a new policy – people with blue i.d. can’t go into Bethlehem except those who live near the checkpoint. People who want to go inside are advised to give up the blue i.d. and change it to an orange one.There is traffic but no pressure of pedestrians or cars. Trucks are allowed to bring goods into town but aren’t allowed to take them out.