Bethlehem CP 300, Biet Jala, El Khadre

Bethlehem-Dec. 6, 04 AMObservers: Michal B. reporting, Natanya G. translating, Ilit R.6,45-7.15 am. Bethlehem Checkpoint 300 Very quiet and exceptionally little traffic. Practically no cars, no line and no detainees. The commander of the post approached us, Sveda, politely and with a welcome. He knows the Machsomwatch women well and reads our reports. To our question as to why there was so little movement he said that cars and people had passed quickly with little written work being done. There was a very good mood because of the return of Azam Azam which probably contributed to this but Sveda emphasized that he does his utmost not to make things difficult for the Palestinians. He had heard about the episode between the driver and the Machsomwatch women a few days previously but made it clear that this was not acceptable behavior and showed us the instructions that he had written down from a briefing given to the commanders of the checkposts on the behaviour towards the local population. 7.20-8.00 El Khader. Many cars and people. No detainees. Soldiers only at the entrance to the area but no communication with those passing through. There was the same quiet atmosphere inside the area. We were told that a few days previously there had been arrests but today was quiet. There is great frustration though. Very difficult to make a living, very few permits given, a feeling of despair. A driver showed us the windscreen of his car which had been smashed by a rubber bullet. Who will pay for the damage? The conditions in the area also cause difficulties. High heaps of dirt make the passage difficult especially when there is rain and people slip on the ground. They have asked that a passage be made of a metre to allow people through but to no avail. 8.8.45 Biet Jala A steady movement of cars through Beit Jala. After we had stood there a few minutes watching a young soldier came up to us ...from the border police....wanting to give us a message. He spoke very politely and with great restraint but his words were very hard. He could not understand what our motives were and could not accept them. We spoke to him. It was very sad. His brother had been killed two years ago by the same innocent citizens whom we were defending...his words. We could not "reach" him but the conversation causes one to think especially about the impossible position in which these young soldiers of 19 years are put. One felt his youth and his pain and bitterness. 9.00-9.20 DCO Etzion Few people, hardly any permits given.....but the police grille is open