Bethlehem Cp 300, El Khader, Etzion DCO

Bethlehem and Surroundings, January 3, 2005, A.M.Observers: Mor B., Michal B. (Reporting)07:15 – Bethlehem Checkpoint 300: Almost totally empty. Stormy weather – There is hardly a line. Three detainees who were waiting got their IDs back. The checkpoint commander answered our questions regarding the upcoming elections in a cold, formal, and polite manner. As far as he is concerned, he is fulfilling instructions from the Office of Security, and only those with permits pass. Elections day is one day, so there will be different instructions then.Due to the stormy weather we only passed by El Khader. The fog was extremely heavy; however we managed to see (in passing and returning) routine pedestrian traffic; neither army nor BP was present.08:00-9:00 – Etzion DCO. At this hour only 7 people were waiting for the reception window to open. All were standing because of the cold weather and because most of the chairs were wet from the penetrating rainwater. Very surprisingly, more people did arrive on this stormy day. The police reception window opened a little before 9:00.