Bethlehem CP –  fourth Friday of Ramadan

09:15-10:45. 

The Israeli side.

This week Ramadan celebrations are truly festive, unlike last week.  Crowds, masses of people walking toward the buses that fill quickly and depart.  Many women, many children, also unlike last week.

A few young female soldiers replaced the ushers, guiding people to the buses, hurrying the families along, the fathers and mothers carrying little children.

The atmosphere is calm, no yelling, no pushing.

I moved around freely, also unlike last week, when soldiers and Border Policemen repeatedly told us to move, go that way, you can’t, not allowed.  Today no one said anything.

I went through the checkpoint to the Bethlehem side and met Hanna and Pitzy.

On my return through the checkpoint to the Israeli side an officer asked me:

“So, how do you think everything’s going today?”

“Other than the checkpoint and the weapons, everything’s fine…”

“Great!  Tell my brother.  He’s certain we’re behaving terribly toward the Palestinians.”