Bethlehem and surroundings, Sunday November 27, AMWatchers: Sylvia P, Ofra B, Chana A (reporting)6:45 – Bethlehem The new border crossing. Cars go through with their drivers only. Passengers have to get out and go through the line for pedestrians. This takes a while (half an hour?) Makes it very irritating for people used to being able to go through routinely. Children also have to be checked (and wait). There are 12 checking booths, six for outgoing, same number for incoming pedestrians. All booths are glass encased. They all have computers, microphones, and signs saying “no eating”, etc. This morning only one booth was manned (womaned) by a soldier who was eating… From where we stand we cannot see the oncoming crowd, much less the detainees. The commander of the crossing approaches us and asks that we stand somewhere else and that we make an agreement with the army where we can and cannot stand. We, obviously, don’t need to agree with the army if they don’t let us watch the place where the crowd crosses. It cannot be acceptable for us that no human rights organizations can watch what is going on there.7:30 – El Khadr Many people are waiting for us and we start writing petitions. It has become a real industry. We need more women.8:30 – Ezyon Same as above. Many people approach us. Three church employees, from a teacher to a waiter, all with letters from the Patriarchate, are refused. Sylvia calls Eyal, the new commander. At first he is unavailable, but then, when he is, it turns out that at least in one case it was a “mistake” not to have given a permit, so at least one of them gets it through our efforts.The latest on the doctor from last week (working in Germany, not being able to get OUT): Ofra called his cell phone on Thursday and he was already back in Hannover. His delay had lasted three agonizing days.