Bethlehem and surroundings . Friday morning. 12.8.2005Observers: Daphna S. Varda R. Tamar A. (reporting)Natanya translating.Shift: 9.20-12.10Nothing of particular significance.9.20 Checkpoint 300: A border policewoman asks us politely not to stand in the area of the checkpoint. When we tell her that the commander Tal Shikmah has allowed us to stand under the sentry post she goes to check it out with the commander of the checkpoint. He also speaks politely and asks us not to stand in the area of the checkpoint and says that if Tal Shikmah allowed it it was maybe because he himself was in the vicinity. Because there were no detainees at the tree, few pedestrians and cars it seemed pointless to insist. Only one lane is open to cars and there are three soldiers. When we arrive they are only allowing those coming fromJerusalemto pass and fromBethlehemthere is now a long line of cars of which we can not see the end. Some of the drivers get out of the car to see what is happening and this is maybe a sign that they have been waiting a long time. Within a few minutes some of the cars coming from there are allowed through. 4 United Nations cars are not allowed through to Bethlehem because they have Israeli citizens with them who only show their United nations id and not the Israeli. The first three go back to Jerusalem,the fourth was still trying to argue about this when we left. The bus going to grave of Rachel stops all the traffic coming fromJerusalemfor about 10m minutes. A woman is trying to get on to the bus and is not allowed to do so until she becomes hysterical. When the bus finally moves off, there are 8 cars waiting to leave Jerusalem.10.25 DCO Ezyon. A solitary man is waiting at the entrance gate and says he has been there about 10 minutes. We ask the soldiers if he has been dealt with and in a minute or two a captain arrives to speak to him. The man leaves at the end of the conversation without it being clear is his request was granted. He did not want to speak to us.10.45 There are soldiers at the checkpoint at the crossroads of Gush Ezyon. 10.50 Beit Omar. It does not seem that there is anyone in the sentry tower. 10.55 The checkpoint next to Efrat on the road Takoa-Nokdiem – no soldiers11.00 The crossroads on the roads 356-3157 : Palestinian cars and the blue police.11.15 El Khadr. No military prescence. One of the kiosk owners tells us that sometimes the soldiers come at night about 22.30-23.00 , checking ids and detaining people for a long time, even hours. Palestinians fromHebronare allowed to stay in Bethlehem after 7. Is it true that this is so.He also tells us that a few days ago houses north of Efrat were destroyed, at El Beida because of the building of the fence and the road which connecting Hebron and Bethlehem. A merchant who had worked 20 years in Israel is now a “security prevented” and asks for our help. He will give a letter asking for his security prevention to be cancelled to one of the future watches. 12.00 Beit Jala checkpoint:Little movement, calm. 12.10 Walleja checkpoint: 5 soldiers with nothing to do.