We arrived to find only 3 cars in the parking lot,two Palestinian and one Israeli, no people so maybe they were inside. But though the door was open the waiting room was in complete darkness. Inside a prayer rug was folded, which we doubt if the army had placed there, the chairs were in order and the room was clean for a change. But if no people come it is not surprising.

On the way to deliver money at Beit Umar for Sylvia, we saw an example of back to back procedure.
The hysteria is becoming more and more prevalent  – this is the sign we  saw on the fence and barbed wire of the DCO. Even a fence has become a sacred symbol of the power of the IDF.

On the way we passed the infamous Ein Haniya park of which the lands once belonged to the people of Beit Jala. The new checkpoint was moved so as to prevent access of Palestinians and effectively bars the people of the village not only from using the park and even worse, from getting to their lands.  We were so gratified to see our very religious brethren there. There too was once a sign stating that anyone who gets out of the car at the checkpoint endangers his life. With all that is happening in the occupied territories one asks whether there is a real need for a reason to “endanger” the life of a Palestinian. I wonder if at night they guard it with electricity!!!

And we see the wonderful road which will help the settlers travel in comfort…