Bethlehem. Wednesday PM, 25.4.07 Observers: Yael I. and Ilana D. (reporting)From 2:00 till 6:15 PMWallaje and DCL EtzionWe had heard rumors that the newly built UNWRA elementary school of Wallajehad been served with a demolition order and therefore we first went toexplore its site (it definitely looks better than the old school, but is notyet finished, although in use) – there was no one in the vicinity to ask. Wehad also heard that the Border Police had beaten up children guarding theirgoats. The Park Authority had encouraged the grazing of the goats todiminish fire hazards and had told the Border Police so. Apparently to noavail. We went to Ahmed to inquire, but he tries not to become involved in‘politics’ at all. He was unable to visit his brother whose leg wasamputated and since he is now hospitalized again we promised to try to get aone-day permit for him. The husband of his daughter in Jerusalem had diedand life is hard for her. His son the electrician was caught on the way towork and is serving a prison term in Damon. Someone from B’Tselem arrangedfor the fine and a sum to buy necessities in the cantina to be paid in at aPost Office. He keeps busy working in his garden and his unemployed adultsons are totally frustrated. When he heard about the tunnel near Al Khadr hebecame very sad, “How will there ever be peace this way – what about theSaudi initiative?”To reach Etzion we had to return via the tunnels to Jerusalem and turn southagain. Many cars were parked near the DCL and many more people were waiting.They are being ‘serviced’ through the gate, because the construction has nowreached the last turnstiles and window. All applicants had been waitingsince the early morning hours and some of the stories are more appallingthan we thought we had become used to. A man first approached us with anewly issued magnetic ‘Bazel’ card (valid until 2010). It has a mistake,which prevents him from passing through the CP’s. He was told to return onlyafter the completion of the construction and meanwhile he has to stay home.A man had applied more than a year ago for his son for an interview at theAmerican Consulate and had finally been told in the morning to return in theafternoon. All other were strictly humanitarian cases, which had not beendealt with since before the holidays. Only after 5:00 PM a girl soldier Liatwho actually spoke very nicely to her clients started giving out permitsthrough the fence. A young woman whose three months’ old baby needs anoperation in Augusta Victoria only received permission for her husband to bethere. He obviously cannot nurse the baby. The mother was refused onsecurity grounds (her brother had been killed by the army) – Dalia Bassapromised to investigate. They live in a refugee camp and get free treatmentonly in Augusta Victoria and not in Bethlehem. A man had been married to anIsraeli Jewish wife who had passed away. They had two children aged 3 and 5.He too was refused a permit to be with his son in the hospital, butapparently someone in Beth El knows the case and will try to help. Anotherman whose young son is alone in the hospital, his wife has a small baby athome, was refused – his cousin had been killed by the army. There was a manwho came with a few of his neighbors. They live near Tantur to the right ofthe second tunnel when coming into Jerusalem with an Id of the territories,but because of the wall no connection to it. Their permit to ‘live in theirhouse’ has to be renewed every three months.