Beit Lechem and surrounding areas– sunday am, 20.3.2005 Observers: Natanya G.(translation) Silvia P. Ofra B. (reporting) 6.55 Bethlehem Checkpoint 300. As opposed to previous occasions, we were invited to stand within the area of the checkpoint. There was no long line of pedestrians and very few people passing. Maybe it was too early. The cars passed with no delay. South of the checkpoints, next to the blocks, a group of 10-12 men are detained. Those who are not allowed to stay or work in Israel. It seems that the despair is so great that the people are prepared time and again to risk this for the chance to work even a few hours. The image that remained with me afterwards was the way that they were chased and caught in the fields like rabbits being trapped by hunters. Sergeant T. explains to us politely why this is forbidden.7.20 The crossing at El Hader. the weather is good, the field green and in flower and is in great contrast to the sights at the crossing. the puddles have dried and many many people, women and children are passing in both directions. Many cars and taxis in the area. We again spoke to Achmed, the coffee seller (Sylvia brought him a video of her conversation with him), He tells us again of his bad financial situation (5 small chilren) and that before he worked in a printer’s office in Jerusalem. The boss is prepared to take him back and we suggested he bring us a letter from him and we would try to help. Despair and hope, maybe we can help. The shops fill up. There is no mobile checkpoint on the slope for the time that we are there. We see many high school students walking to the crossing and are glad that there are no soldiers or police there today.8.05 DCO Etzion. Only 10 people wait for the DCO to open and in a few minutes they do open. The usual picture….. we are asked again if we can help….such belief in our ability to to do so. Here are some examples:An elderly man whose magnetic card has been delayed for a long time receives a notice from the police that his file has been closed (the miracle is the result of the work of Chaya whose name appears on the note attached to this notice of the closing of the file). Now he must begin the process of acquittal at the police window which will open only in the afternoon. We do not know what happened as we did not have his phone number.Cousins, Talab and Sama, whose cousin has undergone a head operation at Hadassah Ein Kerem ask to visit him. They are refused because the relationship is not close enough. We try the Humanitarian HQ and inside the DCO but to no avail. We phoned Dan Goldenblat who was told that there are so many visitors to this patient that the doctors do not want more people to come . Dan tells us that the army says we do not want to know the other side of the story, And where is the truth? Only on the other side. In any case he says the cousins should come in another two days time and they will receive the necessary permission. And they did! Their cousin has improved and may be sent home in another two weeks. Salach Ashraf, a young man with a heart complaint has to undergo tests today at Augusta Victoria. He was at the DCO on Wednesday. He waited the whole day but the police window did not open as it was supposed to. Thursday he waited again not knowing that there was no reception of applicants. Today he will wait untio the afternoon. Maybe Maher will come early his boss says. Mahar opened the window only at 4pm and the man got permission for 5 days and not for 10 as asked for in the letter from the hospital. Maybe we will see him again on Sunday?On our way out we meet a man who has come to renew his magnetic card which has expired. He says he lives Azariah and this is written so in his ID. But the computer of the civil administration has him down as living in Tarmumia and they send him to the DCO in Hebron. Afterwards he tells us he has homes in both places. We advised him to have this changed in the computer and then to try again.We also met several people who had refused to work for the Shabak and gave them the number of Faris with much doubt as we do not know if he can help them but they should try.