Date: 17.11.03 – Morning

Observers: T. S. J. O. R.L., R.W.

When we arrived at 6.30 there were about 50 detainees at the gas
station. They had been caught trying to cross and their papers were
being checked. After about half an hour they were all taken up to
the hotel and there, they were kept till 9.30 (that is, 3 full
hours) while one soldier wrote down their details. After we phoned,
the queue moved more quickly since the soldiers had agreed to
release older men. Two men were taken away in the jeep after being
questioned. The soldiers were aggressive and obtuse both to the
Palestinians and to us and refused to give any information. However
the commander of the c.p. Rabia, (Rafi) was very open to conversing
with us, obviously eager to keep on good terms. None of the BP on
duty, including Rabia, was wearing his identification tag. This was
pointed out to them. While we were at the hotel, we were told by
one of the soldiers that some stones had been thrown from near the
mosque, and that tear gas had been thrown. We have been told on
several occasions, that at Abu Dis, tear gas has been thrown over
the wall without any real provocation.

Zaim, 4.30 a.m. — We were told that earlier this morning soldiers
had beaten some Palestinians and destroyed a transit.