Since 2001 we have observed dozens of army checkpoints on paved and unpaved roads in the West Bank, the Jordan Valley and along the Separation Fence; Civil Administration offices which grant permits to Palestinians; and military courts trying Palestinian prisoners. We stand at the checkpoints observing the behavior of soldiers and Palestinians without interfering, intervening only when soldiers behave offensively to Palestinians. Then we try to speak to the soldiers themselves or telephone...

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Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Mon 22.2.10, Afternoon

Date: 22/02/2010 ,Afternoon

Observers: Shlomit S., Ora A. (reporting)

Bethlehem (300)

close to (“Jerusalem Envelope”) Wall in north Bethlehem, cutting West Bank off from East Jerusalem. This checkpoint which is the only entrance to Israel for residents of southern West Bank, Hebron and satellites, has a sophisticated terminal.

Click here to watch a video taken at Bethlehem checkpoint.

Close description

13:40 PM, Etzion DCL: it was a depressing and frustrating shift. Fifteen Palestinians, among them parents with babies, were let in and waited up there from an hour and a half until someone bothered to deal with them. We made many phone calls, but did not succeed in speaking to one of the commanders. The phones were closed. It was only possible to leave a message for one. We talked to the Humanitarian Center and they promised to clarify and deal with the situation. A phone call to the Civil Administration also didn’t help. We phoned again – maybe this time the Administration would act, or perhaps the sleeping time of the commanders was over, because finally one of them started to deal with the people. Close to 15:30 the first of them emerged.

“Contempt and wrath,” as is written in the Book of Esther which we now read for Purim.