Bethlehem 16/6/2004 Watchers: Netanya G., Ruthie B., Hava H. (reporting) 15:30, Bethlehem CP is almost empty. A few buses going to Rachel’s Tomb. One bus stops for a minute, and we notice that one soldier is guarding 8 passengers. The processing of cars going to Bethlehem is done quickly and efficiently. A BP officer stops us and asks, his eyes glaring: “Where do you come from?” – We’re from MachsomWatch. – What? What’s that? – A human rights organization. – Ah, then you’re against us… We did our best to disabuse him and allay his fear. We noticed that the crass hostility that characterized Bethlehem CP in the past has changed. The BP officer claims that the detainees are “illegals”. They have been waiting for 2 hours, and “will wait until the investigation into their cases is concluded.” Netanya gave them the Moked (Center for the Defense of the Individual) card.Another jeep arrives, driven by the “hunter” on duty. These “hunters” look like they’re enjoying their job. He brings 2 more “illegals” and puts them in the shed on the North (Jerusalem) side. The “illegals” tell us that they were caught at Wadi El Humus, near Tzur Baher. They are all familiar with the procedures. They will be questioned, then they will have to sign forms in Hebrew and Arabic affirming that they were not abused and suffered no harm. They have been through this routine many times before, and don’t seem frightened.In the meantime, the other detainees were freed and we drove to El Khader. 16:45. Throngs of people, cabs and buses. An improvised market opened on the dirt mounds and on the pit-riddled road between Route 60 and El Khader. No sign of police, army or Border Police. Passengers cross freely in both directions. A man asks our help to pass a parcel of clean clothes to his son who was captured last week and is held at Hadarim prison. We made some inquiries and here is the info: Normally, only the family and the Red Cross can bring parcels to prisoners. The Red Cross only brings parcels to “veteran” prisoners (i.e., 3 weeks and longer). Orly from the Moked collects and gives information to families. Her hours are: daily 9:00–17:00 . As for this specific request — we’re still investigating the possibilities.On exiting El Khader we saw a Traffic Police car at the junction. We mentioned this car in our previous reports. The horrible mess of buses and taxis almost crashing into one another among milling pedestrians and market stalls — all this is of no interest to the Traffic Police. They only wait for some unfortunate soul from Hussan, Batir, Nahalin or Wadi Fukin, who has not yet learned to fly, to cross the motorway (which has no zebra crossing), so they can slap him with 100 shekel fine. 17:30, Hussan. The place is almost deserted. A few unemployed cab drivers wait behind the dirt mound. “Tell the world what’s happening to us,” says one, “except the world doesn’t give a damn.” Bethlehem CP again. 6 detainees are waiting for questioning.. The investigator takes his time. The BP officers tell us that there is a new CP commander, and everything is conducted by the book. Everything is under control, and they are in the process of internalizing the new regulations. It is these new regulations that should worry us.