Bethlehem and Surroundings, Tuesday, June 30,2005Observers: Sharon S. Chava I. Tamar A. (reporting), Natanya translating. shift time: 7 – 9.45 amThe usual routine at the checkpoint of Gush Etzion. 7.05 Bethlehem Checkpoint 300:20-30 people in the pedestrian line, a few cars, 2 lanes open, there seem to be no detainees.On the path leading to Bethlehem below on the pedestrian path, is a red sign from the army written in Hebrew, English and Arabic. “ Danger to life. Military area. Anyone passing or harming the fence takes his life in his hands.” The [Separation] fence or rather the wall can not be seen at all from the place where the sign has been put up.3 Border Police are standing opposite the entrance to Tantur on the side of the road leading to the tunnel road. 7.35 The usual chaos of taxis. A number of people ask for our help.A man refused by the police is told to turn to Chaya.A man who has lived and worked 20 years in Tel Aviv has been sent away with his entire family as an illegal. He has returned to Bethlehm where he is now trying to get a magnetic card. He has a permit that his file with the police is closed. But when he brought this to the DCO [District Coordination Office of the IDF Civil Administration] at Etzion he was refused. We advised him to make a copy of the permit and give it to one of the other watches so that we can find out what is happening. I have his phone number.One man has a confirmation that his drivers’ license and car license have been confiscated and that he can receive it back from the police at Etzion on the 16th of June. He did not read Hebrew and once we had read aloud to him what was written, it seemed that he would not go there as he was scared that they would do something even worse to him.A handicapped man who has a magnetic card [evidence of security clearance] does not manage to get a license to deal in Israel. We promise to check this at the DCO. The reply which Moti gives us does not give hope. The quote of traders is full and the man has to approach the Commerce and Industry department of the Palestinians to sign up on the list of those who are waiting.We are told the both today and yesterday settlers threw stones at the intersection of Naveh Daniel and Gush Etzion. We leave so as to check out the situation on the way to the DCO.At the intersection of Naveh Daniel on the road are some young people with orange ribbons and two or three army vehicles. 8.10 Checkpoint at the crossroad of Gush Etzion. The checkpoint is manned and people who have come from Hebron have been taken from the taxi and stood in line. We decide to check this out after having been to the DCO (this was a mistake as we could have saved those waiting the time). At the crossroads on the way to Jerusalem is a kiosk filled with young people protesting the evacuation …so passing their summer vacation. 8.20 DCO Etzion. When we arrive there are about 18 people there and half an hour later another group arrives. The information page which was translated [into Arabic] last week telling those who are “prevented by security” to turn to Colonel (??????) Yair Lotstein is no longer there. Sharon S. once more gets one of the Palestinians who is himself “prevented by security” to translate this. She hangs up the new page and also writes a copy for us which she will make further copies to post and also to distribute. On the window is hung a new confiscation order with the signature of Colonel Yair from the 9th of June, for two more pieces of land.The behaviour of the soldier at the lookout ( a soldier who is permanently there and whom we have seen on previous weeks) and who is responsible for the turnstile is most annoying. At 8.30 he has still not allowed anyone to pass and also closes his window demonstratively so as not hear those calling him. After 5 minutes of Chaya continuously calling him he allows some to pass on condition that those waiting go back into the waiting room. Each time he has to be asked to allow people through even when the soldier at the windows is free. In the beginning only one window was open. At 8.45 the police window opened and after Sharon asked again the window for permits was opened. We also had to ask the soldiers to open the ventilators. 9.15 Checkpoint Etzion. A line of cars coming from Hebron, the Palestinians ID’s are checked in two lanes by 7 soldiers. We and the settlers pass without checking. In the shade at the side are sitting 7 detainees who have been there about an hour, evidently those we saw previously. When we ask why they are there one of the soldiers says that their ID’s are being checked. But in a wondrous manner a moment after this one of the soldiers pulls all the IDs from his pockets and gives them back to the owners.IT SEEMS WE MUST PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT IS HAPPENING AT THIS CHECKPOINT which has not been in use for some time.9.35 Checkpoint Beit Jala. Little traffic9.45 Checkpoint Wallaja. Some soldiers standing idle. Almost no movement along the entire road.