Abu Dis, Container Wednesday PM, 02.02.05Observers: Yael R., Noa R., Ayelet F., Tirtza F. (reporting)14:30-17:3014:30 Bawabe -No BP or military, no vans. people pass, some through the open monastery, some climb the wall.14:40 Cliff Hotel -A BP jeep leaves as soon as we arrive. The fence around the Hotel is still there. The road is still unfinished but there are no workers, trucks or soldiers. Quiet.On the way back we stop again at the Bawabe. We see BP officers get ready to stand in the junction and check IDs. They send us away saying no one is allowed to stand in the middle of the junction. We ask who may pass. “Whoever has permit”. And what has changed since 10 minutes ago when they were not there? “We have observers, when it’s necessary we come”.They went on checking IDs without detaining anyone while we stayed there.On the way to the Container we notice a sign saying “villas for sale in Kedar”. We phone for details. The salesman tells us about the wonderful new villas in Kedar, emphasizing the new “clean” road from Kedar to Maale Adumim. The price is very attractive.15:30 Container -Slight changes in the building: a small gate in the detainees shed and in the soldier’s station inside the checkpoint.Traffic is sparse. 3 Taxis going north are waiting for the soldier to signal them to pass. One is detained for dog inspection which takes 15 minutes, then is sent away.A private car going north is sent back. The driver tries speaking with the DCO representative A., but having no permit is not allowed to pass.15:45 -A jeep of Oxfam-international organization is detained on its way north. The driver is asked to wait on the side. After 20 minutes, a wire consultation of the DCO representative and writing down the driver’s details, he is allowed to pass.16:00 -4 passengers are taken off 2 vans going south. The vans go on. 2 detainees are released after 10 minutes, the other 2 will wait 30 minutes.16:15 -A man with 2 small children arrive from north and are asked to pass “as they ought” through the carousel.5 passengers are taken off a taxi and sent to the detainees shed. 15 minutes later their details are written down and they go away.16:50 -A private ambulance from Bir Zeit. Dina Nasser is getting off and argues with the soldiers. She tell us she is taking a psychiatric patient to the hospital in Bethlehem. She is the only person he can communicate with. The soldiers won’t allow her to pass because of her blue ID. They are not impressed by the document proving she is part of the health project of IBM company. Zidki from the DCO and Dalia Bassa both say they can do nothing.The ambulance goes on to the hospital without Dina who regrets with tears being forced to leave the patient alone. She waits for the ambulance to come back from Bethlehem and take her home.