Jalama and Salem DCO, Sunday, November 21, 2004, AMObservers: Ana N., Masha S., Sarit R., Netta G. (reporting) Jalama, 06:50 – 08:10 There is no closure. Agricultural workers, as well as the seam line workers and the infrastructure employees go through the gate. The number of those waiting is small because the sleeve was opened before 05:00 AM and also probably because many of the workers were not aware of the lifting of the closure. They also thought that new permits were due, after Arafat’s funeral. We are allowed to stand only in the parking lot. The checkpoint commander, Staff Sergeant E., says that we can’t go to the waiting shed due to a high alert for terrorist activity. We are banned from going to Checkpoint 250 for the very same reason. In front of the back-to-back gate, there is one tanker waiting.Salem District Coordination Office, 09:00 – 10:15 We arrived at the Salem DCO after previous coordination of a meeting with Major Bassem. We went as close as we could to the entrance of the Palestinians. About 50 men and women were waiting to enter the DCO to obtain various permits and to entering the courthouse located at the site. Ana took pictures of those waiting in line. At 09:40, we met Major Bassem. We asked how they inform Palestinians that a closure has been lifted. He said that they inform the Palestinian representative at the DCO, and he ensures that the message will go down to people in the mosques, etc. Bassem escorted us to the waiting shed for Palestinians at the DCO. We walked through the inspection room for those requesting entrance to the courthouse. Women were being inspected by female soldiers, behind a curtain. Personal belongings, such as ID cards, cellular telephones, etc. were deposited in special drawers designated for the purpose. We went with Bassem to the shed. The windows for obtaining magnetic cards and permits were staffed. About 15 people were waiting in line. We were told that starting tomorrow, that shed will be closed for renovations. The DCO will close and the Palestinian DCO in Jenin and Tubas will take over responsibility for services given now in Salem. Signs in Arabic regarding this change are posted on each window and on the wall. We were also told that in a short time they would provide magnetic cards that will be valid for four years. Within a few minutes, we had noticed that the line for those going to court had been halted. As it turned out, we were the cause of that; the security person left the line and followed Bassem and us to secure him while visiting the shed. We felt bad about the situation and asked to return immediately. Despite that, we were greeted warmly by those waiting in line, and some of them even asked for the MachsomWatch card. We returned with Bassem and the Palestinian DCO representative from Tubas, who had arrived in the meantime, telling us that his journey to Salem took about two and a half hours, due to sudden temporary checkpoints on the way. As we were leaving the DCO, we were approached by Lt. Colonel Fuad, who said that he and Brigade Commander Avman had received a fax regarding the observation options in Jalama. According to him, it is not permitted to stand outside the parking lot, this out of concern for our own safety. He also said that there is no reason to observe Jalama checkpoint because it is a “model checkpoint.”