Bethelehem and surroundings, Nuaman. 30.5.2006Observers: Yehudiet A. Tamar A. (reporting)Natanya translating. 6.15 – 7.30The new gate: We have not been there for the last two weeks and there is a lot of trouble and many changes. The water pipe has burst again and been replaced by the contractor who is building the checkpoint with one of better quality which we hope will hold. But in the course of the work he cut off the electricity which comes from El Has and it took time before this was fixed. But the main and eternal problem is the blocking of the village which is progressing swiftly.When we arrive at the entrance from the direction of Jerusalem the yellow iron which had been put up a few weeks ago was closed and locked with a chain and a lock, the key probably in the hands of the jeeps of the border police who go through the village as they wish. A pedestrian who wants to pass has to bend down or climb over. And just to remind you that some of the villagers of Nuaman have blue ids and therefore theoretically are allowed to enter Jerusalem. At the second exit from the village in the direction of El Has and the west Bank the security fence has been improved with cameras and the temporary barb wire fence next to the gate had one side open when we arrived. This opening is wide enough for a car and even for a bulldozer. In front of the gate is a closed grey building with sealed windows . We do not know the purpose of this building nor do the border police. On the other side of the gate is a tank which is used as a post by the border police who are stationed there, in front of it a tent-cloth to give shade. The border police say that they are there permanently, 24 hours a day, and the gate is always open. I. on the other hand says that at night the gate is closed. While we are there students pass with no problem and no checking to El Has but some of them look at the police with fear and suspicion. The residents tell of delays and shouts when no one is watching.The construction work for the new checkpoint starts promptly again at 7.15 and advances quickly. Where there was once a hill is now a wide path which leads to the exiting road to the area of the checkpoint. We went on to Sheihk Said ( another report).