Abu Dis, Saturday, 27.9.03 Observers:
AG, VS

At the taxi parking in front of the gate, a few
minutes before our arrival, 2 gas grenades were thrown from a BP
jeep, for no apparent reason. According to the drivers, the place
was then full of schoolchildren. We spotted the jeep at the gas
station, and the commander R. confirmed the facts, added that 4
more grenades were thrown at the same time in front of the gas
station on both sides of the wall. Why? Because, he said, their
jeep was attacked earlier by stones and bottles. Otherwise, closure
today, but the gate was open and the border policemen were
patrolling near the gas station, checking people randomly. Due to
the closure, DCO permits are not respected. The unfortunate without
blue IDs had their IDs confiscated, and ordered to retrieve them at
the hotel. There were about 30 detainees there, and most were
released about half an hour later.

Sawahre. The
border policemen are surprisingly calm and efficient. On both sides
DCO permits, students cards, teacher cards and physician cards are
all respected. Also let through are people with addresses near the
CP, in both directions. Pedestrians and vehicles pass rather
quickly and the soldiers even look the other way on some who don’t
have the right papers. One regulation is strictly applied: Passage
for blue IDs only through Etzion.