Bethlehem and surroundings, Thursday morning, 4.5.2006Observers: Netta I. Tamar A. (reporting)Natanya translating. 6.50 -7.35 The new 300 checkpoint:Not many pedestrians and there is one checking point in both directions. Sometimes there are two-three people. We get contradictory information about the closure. One says that those with work permits cannot pass and another says that those with work permits issued after 3.4.2006 can do so. Two employees of the Wakf in Jerusalem, a man and a woman cannot pass because they are police refused. The commander of the military police arrives, speaks to them but does not allow them to pass and tells us that they are not his problem but suggest that they speak to the DCO (there is no representative at the checkpoint). If they give the ok he will let them pass. A group of Italian tourists pass on foot to the Jerusalem side where their bus is waiting.7.50 North Efrata: A border police jeep stands on the road which leads to Efrata and to the back on back checkpoint in the direction of El Khadr.8.00 – 9.45 DCO Ezyon: Our first visit to the renovated DCO. When we arrive it is still closed and outside are waiting 80 – 100 people amongst them a few women. They have been there since 3 in the night and from 8.00 in the evening. During the night soldiers come and drive them off to the nearby petrol station. When the soldiers leave they come back. They say the DCO only manages to deal with 50-70 people each day. A worker of the UN whose son has to undergo a plastic operation in Jerusalem has waited a whole day in vain and now he is trying again. “If I get there, I get there and if not , not. The son was shot in his face by a bullet next to the refugee camps of El Arub. One man says that the situation at the DCO in Hebron is better. Each village receives its own day for reception and why can they not do so here?8.15 Two soldiers come out and tell the Palestinians to get away from the hut as a condition to their opening the DCO. They draw back but as soon as the soldiers leave they draw near again. Those waiting have made a list but the soldiers tell them simply to go in. A row erupts, shouting, pushing, fist fights, a few and dafke not those who were amongst the first to arrive get to the turnstiles. The soldiers cannot control the situation.They shout orders, one aims his rifle in the air. In the end everyone is returned to the enclosure and the first people are allowed to pass.8.30 the soldiers enter and those who have already passed the turnstiles shout to those waiting…5 – permits, 3 magnetics. The hut is filled to capacity. Hot. Stuffy and smelly. Those smoking do not improve the atmosphere. Those who have not managed to get inside wait and sit outside on the fence and cement blocks. Slowly, slowly they manage, amongst shouting to bring the list to order. Netta phones A. the speaker of the civil administrator who admits that they have been unable to control the situation. On Sunday they will try to give out number and if we have any ideas we should say so. The women do not have to wait in line but the new DCO has created a new problem. It is impossible to leave their bags which they may not take into the area of the windows, at the turnstiles because they do not exit the same way. The women have to throw their bags over the fence and to hope that there they will be safe.“Until when will there be such confusion? Until we have finished with life, “ says one man. A doctor from Augusta Victoria ask if it is reasonable that they have to wait hours.’ I know you cannot help,” he says “But at least you understand.” It is true we could help very little. One man needs a permit for his daughter to be treated in hospital. After negotiation it is agreed that he can go in without standing in line. A woman needs a document of honesty from the police so as to travel to the United States. Maher is not there and when we speak to him on the phone he says he will be there on Sunday at 12.00.9.50 The checkpoint at the crossroads of Gush Ezyon is manned.10.00 The checkpoint at thetunnels:20-30 detainees sitting on the ground a little way from the road.