Abu Dis, Container (Wadi Nar), Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal), Thu 10.12.09, Morning

6:30 Zeitim Crossing

 

A stream of people exiting; two of them, arriving from Bethlehem, say it was much worse there

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Wadi Nar

The road descending from the grocery store is blocked due to work by the Palestinian Authority, funded by American money. 

Traffic at the checkpoint is flowing, with random checks of vehicles.

When we approached the checkpoint, a couple of security persons approached us.  One of them told us we must stand outside the checkpoint, the other just stared and said nothing.  We refused to move and explained that this was where we had been standing for a long time.  They left us alone for a while, and the "spokesman" returned to say he had spoken to the company commander who forbids our presence inside the checkpoint.  A phone call to Uri B. -- who says no one had spoken to him.  We remained where were, and the "spokesman" gave up.  Had he been lying?

It's important not to give in to every whim of each and any policeman, soldier, or officer.  We must insist on our right to inspect the checkpoints and continue reminding  our "good boys" of the limits of their power.