Bethlehem and Surroudngins, January 12, 2007Observers: Efrat B., Tirza L. (reporting) 9:00 – Bethlehem Checkpoint 300:At the entrance to the checkpoint a number of people – taxi/transit drivers – turn to us: Three signs directing drivers to the checkpoint are placed too low, and across a large portion of the sidewalk width, causing head injuries to passersby who continuously bump into them. Can we help in getting the authorities to move the signs? We say we will do so. (We are beginning with the process.) Inside the checkpoint it is very cold. No heaters are operating. Few people cross the checkpoint. The soldier in the booth lets the people through quickly, almost just nodding and letting them through. Through the laudspeakers we hear a woman soldier loudly giving orders to the people waiting to cross from Bethleham towards Jerusalem on the other side. 9:40 – Ezion DCL:deseted9:50 – Road 60Immediately to the south of Gush Etzion intersection, towards Beit Umar, there is a small checkpoint. Soldiers examine Palestinian cars coming up north. This week is the first time we see the passengers made to stand by their car, while their documents are examined. We stop to and inquire what’s going on. A taxi driver and his 4 passengers have been waiting “only” for a few minutes, the driver tells us. They all have permits so there won’t be a problem. But the young man standing apart has been waiting since 8 am. We approach the soldiers. One of them is on the field phone, holding the IDs of the passengers. There is no computer-unit on the spot. They have to call up the central processing unit, give the details of the passenger and wait for confirmation. We ask, how long it will take, the soldier says, as long as it will take; soon we’ll let them go. How about the young man on the side, we ask. He confirms, the man has been waiting for a long time. Why? He doesn’t answer, and only says, he’s waiting for something (meaning he’s waiting to receive an OK) and he’ll be released soon. We ask, released to where he wants to go? Yes, says the soldier. When? Soon. We exchange phone numbers with the taxi driver in case they encounter more problems, and start heading towards Beit Umar. A minute later the taxi driver beeps at us – they were released. 10:10 – Beit UmarMen and women are waiting at the entrance for different rides. The people from Beit Umar, who usually have questions for us, are not there. 11:00 – El NashashOne man turns to us to ask for assistance in obtaining a magnetic card.