Bethlehem 8/4/2004 Watchers: Shlomit B., Hadas B. Bethlehem. At 6:40 CP 300 is quite deserted – hardly any people or vehicles. No detainees either. At 6:50, the soldiers closed the CP for maneuvers and ran around with their weapons drawn. 10 minutes later, the CP was reopened, but only clergymen and people going to hospitals were allowed. Yaron, the CP commander, refused to answer our questions. We left and came back at 9:10. No detainees; only a few lucky ones were allowed to cross. A Palestinian resident of Jerusalem, with blue ID and a doctor’s certificate, was trying to get to the hospital in Bethlehem, but was refused. We called the DCO and spoke to Amid who assured us that doctors were allowed to pass. He asked a commander named Dov to investigate. 5 minutes later Dov allowed the doctor to cross. When we left at 9:30, a BP van arrived with 6 detainees. El Khader, 7:30. Paratroopers from Battalion 101 explained to us (politely) that buses and taxis (but not private cars) could park in the area in front of the dirt mound, ”provided they do so in orderly fashion.” The soldiers drew a line to keep the cabs away from the main road. The cab drivers told us that this procedure had become routine in the last few days, and that the army stayed there until nightfall. The day before the soldiers ordered them to pick uplitter at the side of the roads to El Khader. There were other tales of horror (beatings, damage to vehicles, intimidation and abuse at the Container interrogation room at Wadi-Nar.) We told the soldiers about complaints by local residents that tires had been slashed and damage done to vehicles. They smirked and said they were aware of them. We have phone numbers to lodge complaints about the behavior of Battalion 101 soldiers. El Arub, 8:30. At the exit to the main road an army jeep stands at the CP. They check IDs of everyone who leaves the village. This is done swiftly and efficiently. The commander explained that they were watching the route because the Cave of the Patriarchs was open for prayers. This is why cab drivers are kept waiting and have to drive in groups. Ezion CP. There must be structural changes at the Checkpoint. Free passage to all vehicles. Tekoa CP. Looks deserted. The soldiers sit in the shade. Hardly any traffic on the road.