Bethlehem, Tuesday 1-11-05, from 2:00 till 5:00 PM Observers: Ruth O. and Ilana D. (reporting)CP 300, Beit Ummar, Al Aroub, Efrat CP, DCL Etzion, Al KhadrCP 300 looked deserted, one car was crossing to the South and no pedestrians were spotted. We didn’t stop to talk to the soldiers. On the way to Beit Ummar where we had to meet Yvonne’s friend Ahmed and deliver documents to Abu Nassim we spotted many loaded donkeys trotting along Road 60 (they need no permit yet). Abu Nassim and Ahmed urged us to proceed to the CP in Beit Ummar underneath the pillbox. We parked along Road 60 and walked up the treacherous, steep, slippery path, past barbed wire and were glad it had not been raining. This is the official ‘harassment’ way all pedestrians getting off busses and cabs have to take to reach their house. Vehicles are made to wait on the road for inspection. Only ID’s of the drivers and passengers were checked, not the vehicle licenses or permits. The artillery soldiers were unwilling to explain the logic of forcing people to make a hazardous detour to reach their own homes. We had the feeling they too didn’t understand the orders, except that they felt, that someone probably knows why and that orders have to be followed. At the entrance to Al Aroub the same scene repeated itself, but since the terrain is flat it appeared less worrying, although if it rains, it will also constitute an incomprehensible useless collective punishment. The soldiers explained their presence by telling us that stones had been thrown at passing vehicles. They had ‘found’ a stolen car and were detaining its driver, who told them to call the police and stop just keeping him.We proceeded to the Efrat Checkpoint, it was 4:00 PM and people were already hurrying to get home to end the fast. About ten cars were in line, but the wait was not too long. The soldiers of the armored forces were very friendly but had no idea who we were and what we were doing. At the Ezyon DCO there were two people. Both left with a smile after having gotten their permits. Maher was still at his post (4:30 PM) and greeted us warmly. It was almost getting dark and we hurried to Al-Khadr where the area west of the earth mound has been totally razed (although one temporary stall was already doing brisk business) – there is now more space for the cabs and busses (there were no private cars at all). We climbed the steep mound and observed all vendors packing up their merchandise and hurrying to get home in time. Two resourceful youngsters one with a cart and one with a wheelbarrow) acted as porters to transport goods and luggage from the cabs to either side of the earth mound. Everyone wished us a happy Eid.