Bethlehem Oct. 10, 2004 AMWatchers: Haya A. Malka A., Ada G. (reporting)AAl Khadr – 7:20Much traffic, both cabs and buses. People complainthey can’t get to Jerusalem because of the closure,and there is no work in the territories.Beit Omar – 7:40The vehicles PC is closed. Soldiers stand with drawnweapons. People cross on foot, sometimes through thegate, sometimes on the sides.Halhul – 8:30A large group of Palestinians, a bus, a couple of vansand a blue police jeep. An army jeep arrives with afriendly, communicative major. They are mad at a vandriver who ran away and did not keep his promise. Thebus driver tells us that a few days ago, at Ephrat CPthe (female) soldiers were very harsh and mean. Onedemanded that he lift the spare tire; when hecomplained that it was too heavy to lift, she raisedher hand to hit him as if to hit him. He stopped herand is very incensed.Nebi Yunes – 8:50The road to Nebi Yunes is open, but on Route 60, about50 meters from the entrance, there’s a temporary PCand every vehicle is checked.DCO Etzion – 9:15About 100 people waiting. No. 35 is in. Only sickpeople are issued permits. The magnetic cards counteris open. The police counter has a notice saying thepoliceman will be absent Oct. 10-18. We inquired atRas el Amud: the policemen are on vacation and theydon’t have the manpower to replace them.Etzion CP – 9:506 detainees waiting between 30-60 minutes. Nopedestrians in sight.Cars are allowed through.Ephrat CP – 10:05Manned by a NAHAL group from moshavim and kibbutzim -nice guys.