Bethlehem Nov. 11, 2004 AMObervers: Nava A., Yael S., (reporting) A guestSummary: increased military presence at all junctions.Zealous settlers attack us. Nadja Matar chases us allthe way to the center of Jerusalem.Wallaja – We did not stop. The X Checkpoint is mannedby BP. Nospecial findings.Al Hadr – Closure in effect. A soldier informs us thatthe area is off limits. But he has no order to back itup. He tells Nava to move her car. A Lieut. generaland two majors show up. I talk to a woman who iswalking back from Hussan. She fears there might befood shortages if the closure continues. ThePalestinians are told that the closure is in effect asof 12:00: they cannot go from one village or town tothe other. A major berates me for talking to thewoman. I explain that we did not discuss her (and hertwo frightened children’s) detention, but existentialquestion. He is satisfied.A cabdriver on Hussan side engages me in conversation.An irate soldier approaches the traffic island andshouts: “Drive away, yallah!”I ask why the man cannot talk to me, but the soldiercontinues to drive us away and shout.No buses allowed to cross or park in Al Hadr.I was taking some pictures when a truck stopped onRoute 60 and twothugs got out. They cursed and spat at us. As theywere leaving, I took photos of them. The soldier toldthem about it, and they shouted: “Let’s smash hercamera!” I went behind the New Jersey, and Nava andthe guest went forward. One of the thugs came towardme and I shouted, “Don’t touch me!” The soldiers andtheir commander did notintervene. The thug slapped the soldier amicably onthe soldier and drove away. Liad, the army spokesmansaid, “it is not the soldiers’ job to protect you insuch cases. You should have called the police.”A detainee, kept there for talking impudently to asoldier, was finally released.It is the eve of “Id el Fitr” and the Palestiniansmourn their leader’s death in exile. Dozens of men,women and children, carrying their merchandise, arewalking south on Route 60, to their homes in Hebron,Bet Omar et al. No rides allowed.Efrat CP20-30 detainees get their cards back. We watch fromafar.Etzion CPNoticeable military presence. Our guest spotted abound man sitting by a cab, blindfolded. I took apicture. A soldier (wearing a kippa) called ustraitors. I asked if he knew what a traitor’spunishment is according to the Gemara is. And isn’tcalling political opponents traitors tantamount toblood letting? A car then stopped at the junction anda woman got off. The soldier blurted, “Oh no!”. Sheasked, “Are they bothering you?” He said, “No, butyour car is.” and walked away.The bound man, according to the soldier, is acabdriver who ignored the soldiers’ orders, and theythought he was trying to escape.On our way back from DCO, we saw only the cab, but notthe man.DCO EtzionDeserted. Maher said that due to the circumstances, hewas stationed somewhere else and there was no policerepresentative at the DCO. He gave the the phonenumber of Hebron police, so Palestinians could findout if the DCO is open, before going there. As we weredriving away, Ms. Matar showed up brandishing a videocamera and followed us. At Efrat, we went to check the CP, and thephotographer blocked our way. While I was on the phoneto the Police, the road cleared and we continued, with Matar following us closely all the wayto Talpiot and the center of Jerusalem. Abu DisAfter a short coffee break, we went to Abu Dis tophotograph the closed Pishpash (gate). The BP soldiersthere did their best to help the Palestinians. Thiswas a breath of fresh air.Later we drove to Qalandiya, but someone else willreport on thesituation there.