Bethlehem Monday, 12/7/2004 Observers: Nurit S., Una I. (reporting) Bethlehem. There isn’t much traffic at 15:45, nor many pedestrians, and there is no line. About 6 or 7 cars in the direction of Bethlehem have to wait a quarter of an hour on average. To our question of why fewer cars are passing toward the south and more toward the north, the soldiers say that they want to keep the lane open for the bus that travels to Rachel’s Tomb. We wanted to arrive in time at the DCO, before they turn off the fans, so we left El Khader for the end. DCO Ezion. In the parking lot we meet a man who says he is the father of 12 children, and tells us that a year ago they took his magnetic card because of a problem with the police. He paid the two fines that he owed (he entered Jerusalem to pray, without a permit) but they are still telling him that he needs the signature of the Jerusalem police. Kafkaesque.Another man comes along who introduces himself as a member of an organization that supports the handicapped and poor in Kafr Nass. There are four of them who need permits to pass in order to deliver money and wheelchairs and various kinds of equipment. Nurit suggests that we can deliver what they need. He looks and says that it isn’t worthwhile, once is not enough, etc. It seems surprising to us that he doesn’t jump at the chance. He gives us a flyer of the organization. The story isn’t clear.There are about 30 people in the DCO. Only one window is open. The police window is closed. Two fans are working. At 17:30, they close. One man, who is here for the fifth time, arrived at 6:30 in the morning to get on line. He doesn’t get in. El Khader. There are peddlers, taxis, children with coffee, but no soldiers. A young man who got out of jail a week ago wants to speak on television on the subject of prisoners. He wasn’t beaten, not in jail and not later.