Bethlehem and Surroundings: 19.12.05 AMObservers: Chaya, A., Malka, A. (reporting) 6:50 – 8:54 6:50: We leave Jerusalem 7:05: Beit Jala CP is open. 7:15: El Khadre – a lot of traffic of workers, women and students. People are asking for advice and help regarding what is written in their file or on a summons to court. A., an unemployed worker, has had a file opened two years ago and was sent from Dehishe to the Ezion DCO and back again twice. There, he finally spoke to someone but was told to return in another week. We explain to him, as to many others before him, that he has the right to receive an answer by phone and he needn’t come again personally – wasting time and money on the trip. B. was caught in Israel without an entrance permit. He was served a court order, and was fined 5,000 NIS as well as had to place bail for two other workers – his sons – who worked with him on their very first working day, without permits. He was warned not to enter Israel again. G. is another person who has a police record with no file number. D. – a father of six – is a single salary-earner. He needs to be treated at a hospital in Jerusalem, after an accident. We referred him to Dalia Basa, who deals with health affairs. At the Ezyon intersection the checkpoint is manned by police In the southern direction. They check the Arab drivers’ documents. 8:50 At the refugee camp El Arub the road is open. The students have certainly reached school at Beit Omar, long ago. 8:54: A man, whose son was married in Russia, wishes to have his daughter-in-law and grandchildren visit his family in the Occupied Territories. We gave him Yehudit Elkana’s phone number. We pass by on the road to Karmei Tzur. Near the entrance, a police car and police officers are inspecting people. Halhul intersection is open. At the Ezion DCO many people are receiving magnetic cards. Family members of sick people, are receiving entrance permits for a few day – and they are happy about this… Time and again people are being asked to come personally to the DCO to receive an answer regarding their applications. We have to repeat that they have the right to receive an answer by phone. Again and again a person is sent to one window, then to another and then back to the first one. Because of the multitude of questions, we stayed there until 12:25 and we didn’t have the time to visit the Bethlehem checkpoint. Happy Hannukah