Jalama, Salem DCO, Rihan Monday afternoon, 18 October 2004 Observers: Chani R. , Shula B. (reporting)Guest: Amos B. 12:30 – Jalama At this hour at the checkpoint, the traffic is usually slow and sparse, let alone on a day of closure [prohibited passage between Israel and the Territories.]There is a bus waiting on the Israeli side of the gate . The passengers are Christians wishing to go to Jenin. The soldiers are inspecting the group’s entrance permit.The back-to-back [area for transferring merchandise being transported across the checkpoint without the vehicles crossing it] is vacant; no vehicles.The CP. commander explains to us patiently and somewhat amused, that we won’t be allowed to go to CP 250, “It is closed over there…”, “The Brigade commander does not permit….” , “High-level security alerts [of a suspected terrorist attack]…” And if we will try to be ‘smart’ and say we’re going to Ganeem or Kadeem and on the way make a stop at “250” – then, he warns us, ” The blue [Israeli] police will arrest you and place charges against you”. With such ridiculous claims, we didn’t even bother to ask, what charges might be placed against us, we just drove away.13:30 In an early telephone call, we had arrange a visit to the Salem DCO [IDF Civil Administration office, that issues passage permits], at noon today (“Only escorted by soldiers and with no access to Palestinians, this is due to high-level security alert”) at 13:30 we entered the DCO defined area, only to learn that the only officer at the site wasn’t aware of our pre-scheduled visit. He refused to escort us to the DCO offices.Later, when we were already in Rihan, we received an apologetic telephone call and a request/offer that we should go back and start all over again. We might take them up on their offer, but not immediately. 14:30 – Rihan For our guest we made a special short tour in Barta’a at the site of the ruined houses.The checkpoint: Northern side (Israel) worker who come home from work, pass through fast and turn south, into the West Bank. The only person who was made to wait in the shed , had disappeared from our sight too soon to be considered a detainee.On the southern side (Territories) there are a few cars and two women pedestrians. Within an hour the number of cars increased and the inspection teamwas doubled.There is a metal container with moldy cold tea, standing on the table atthe inspection post. No, on this table they do not check the contents of thebags, just like in the Polish joke*… two meters away from the table, theypour the content of the begs on… the asphalt! *(a Polish gentleman wants totie his shoelaces, so he puts his foot up on a chair and… bends down to tie theother shoe…). There is strict adherence to the [closure] order banning the holders of blue [Israeli] ID cards from going into the West Bank. But the settlers – “Uber alles” – they storm in and out.An Israeli-Arab attorney comes up to the soldier at the CP, hesitantly asksfor permission to meet his client at the middle of the CP. to his and ouramazement – he is granted permission. Later that lawyer tells us that he represents two of the sons of that person, who are charged with kidnapping an Israeli-Arab child and smuggling him into the West Bank. If anyone needs alawyer – we have his name and number… 16:00 – We left.