ABU-DIS AND SAWAHARA, SUNDAY 16.4.06 AM Observers: Marit T., Dalia K.(reporting) 6:45-9:00 6:55 Abu-Dis In the lower Pishpesh area we found a row of Palestinian detainees (8), their faces to the wall and their hands behind . Three or four military policemen present. In the past we have seen many detainees, also lined up, but not in the humiliating position with their faces to the wall. The sight galvanized us and we demanded an explanation. We did not get one and were told not to intervene. A fairly violent argument developed and we were soon asked to show our ID’s. One of the soldiers (who claimed to be a policeman, hence his authority) wrote a complaint against each one of us on grounds of insulting an officer on duty. At that point G. arrived — according to him it is permissible to place detainees caught while escaping (or something like that) with their faces to the wall. G. urged us not to argue with the soldiers — it would be better to greet them with a nice “good morning” and even bring candy… Later we two agreed that we should be firm with the soldiers, as we had been (no candy!), but also less emotional and more purposeful, avoiding exchanges that might be insulting to them, a style more appropriate to our purposes. 7:30 Mishor Edomim Checkpoint Slow passage of vehicles. One vehicle detained. 7:45 Checkpoint at the exit from AzariahUnbostructed flow of traffic 7:50 Wadi Naar A long convoy of vehicles from the direction of Bethlehem, but we’ve seen worse. One or two are checked intermittently. In the other direction, from Wadi Naar to Bethlehem a driver says he’s been detained for two hours, his cars keys, but not his documents, expropriated, because he crossed the checkpoint without stopping for a check by the soldiers. We tried to intervene on his behalf with the soldiers and those of higher rank. While we were checking, the driver was released. 8:40 Abu-Dis again, by the wall.We returned via Mount Scopus to check how the detainees were doing; happily, they had been released. And what will be the outcome of the complaints against us? Time will tell.