Bethlehem, El Khader 12/5/2004 Watchers: Netta E., Ayelet E. The checkpoint is empty, no detainees, few vehicles. The crossing pace is very slow and the line of people trying to cross is short.The border policemen threw us out like always, allowing us only to stand at the back, on the northern side. We tried to call several people, but no one answered. We walked out of the checkpoint and stood at the exit walkway — towards Jerusalem — and succeeded in clarifying who was allowed and not allowed to cross. According to the Palestinians with whom we spoke, only humanitarian cases are being allowed through. We called the Moked (Center for the Defense of the Individual) and Ezion DCO and were told however that people with other permits should be allowed to cross as well. We attempted to bridge the gap between the orders with very little success, calling again and again to the Moked and DCO. In El Khader, life is back on track. There’s lots of traffic and no army. While drinking coffee, we learned from the men at the kiosque that the beatings at Wadi-Nar have stopped though not so in Bethlehem, if you’re caught bypassing the checkpoint.Later on, I [Netta] got in touch with Safadi to complain about the above-mentioned situation. Finally, we have the phone number of the new checkpoint commander, Tal (instead of Dothan). I talked with him in the afternoon. Turn to him with any problems that arise at the checkpoint, including our places in it.