Abu Dis, Zeitim CP Wednesday, 07.03.2008, AMObservers: Tzipie E., Shulamit N., Noa D. (reporting)Abu-Dis (The Pishpash): 08:00 – Except for the soldiers near the guards’-cabin on the Israeli side, there was no military presence. Nor did anyone pass through. All was quiet. Zeitim CP: 8:10 – While conversing with one of the drivers in the parking lot, we were told that it had been “hard in the morning” and that it took from 04:30 to 06:30 for the workers to pass through the CP and that it had been so yesterday afternoon. We drove to the other side of the Zeitim CP, through Al Ezariya and came through on the other side, where the Palestinians await the DCO and for permits to get to Jerusalem.08:25 – A few dozen men are waiting in the shaded shed. The women stand apart of them, outside the shed, in the sun. They are all awaiting the CDO’s opening, at 09:00 (that used to be at 8:30). We were told about the opening hour by the checkpoint commander, Y., a few weeks ago. A few of the people waiting tell us that the opening hour changes from day to day. 08:30 – The people are still waiting. The CDO has not opened yet. 08:50 – One of the security guards (from a private guarding company) collects ID cards from the poeple waiting. We ask whether the people waiting are queued according to numbers and are told that they arrange the order amongst themselves. “Barks” are heard over the loudspeaker, demanding to sit and stand in an order of some sort. People who prefer standing outside the shed, in the sun – return to the shade of the shed. We talk in English to a young woman who tells us that Women for Human Rights helped her receive a pass-permit four years ago, when she was pregnant.09:05 – The CDO has not yet opened. There are still arrangements for letting in the people awaiting. We ask one of the BP’s why it hasn’t opened yet and he tells us that they “only just got here” and will open in about 15 mins. He answers our questions courteously and we learn that every hour 30 people are receved by the CDO and that it is opened until 15:00. 09:10 – The people waiting are beginning to be received. We notice that the women are received first and do not know whether it is a habit of the Palestinians or the CDO policy. 09:30 – People are still arriving and many poeple are waiting in the shed.