Bethlehem, Al Nashash (the “new” El Khader), EzyonSunday June 18, AMObservers: Sylvia P, Ofra B, Chana A (reporting)6:45 Bethlehem CP: As we come in by car, there is a steady stream of workers. On our way to the terminal we meet Z. of the BP who is very happy to see us. He’s a very decent officer and agrees with us that something has to be done in order to make the flow of workers on Sunday morning more streamlined. A Palestinian stops his car to tell us there is a huge crowd on the other side still waiting to get in and as we witness when we walk in. At the Israeli exit there are hardly any people, but we hear the noise from the other side and workers coming out tell us there are still hundreds waiting. Two army officers come up to us, threatening to call the police if we don’t move to outside the terminal, but we insist on observing. 7:30 Al Nashash: Lots of taxis, some people come up to us to ask for our help. Stories of permits held back just recently, people out of work, children at home hungry. 8:30 Ezyon DCL: Not a whole lot of people outside. Numbers are only given to people over 32 (sic!) thus eliminating all the rest. Two young men, both with children, come up to us. They still have valid permits for the settlements but no renewal for them. They are not refused on security grounds, it’s either their age or the allotment ceiling. How will their families eat? Others are waiting for Maher. Everyone is uptight, angry, disturbed. A Christian family, the wife with a blue ID, the husband from Bethlehem with an orange one. They are young, married seven years, four children. All they want is family unification and we know how difficult that is, but we promise to try.