Abu Dis Friday 28 January 2005 AMObservers: Barbara S., Tamar A. & Rotem A. (reporting) 10:00 The Container - It looked as though the sparse traffic moved smoothly without being bothered by the Border Police soldiers at the checkpoint. A Palestinian from Hebron came up to us. He had come to take his wife (who holds a blue [Israeli] ID and is in the late months of pregnancy) and their four kids back home to Hebron. To meet them, he had to leave his car and cross the checkpoint on foot to. The soldiers didn’t allow the wife to cross back with him. We tried to clarify why, and were told that this is the “general’s order”.There was no District Coordination Office representative at the checkpoint. We phoned Lt. T. who said that these were the regulations and the woman would have to get herself a permit. I pointed out that it was Friday and there was no chance she could arrange one today, that she was in an advanced state of pregnancy and that she has four little children. T. said he wasn’t in the base, but would try and phone and deal with the matter. We waited 15 minutes. The patience was running short, and the family started walking towards the wadi to try and around the checkpoint. T. phoned, said he couldn’t help. The family disappeared from view in the wadi. Frustrating.11:30 – The Pishpash Gate – A Border Police jeep. The soldiers were stopping Palestinians randomly and checking their papers and belongings. Courtesy wasn’t the strong suit of the checkers, who left the checked items on the floor. No pedestrians were detained for a long time. A few taxi drivers said that in the morning soldiers had prevented most pedestrians from crossing towards Jerusalem.12:00 – The Hotel – Looks abandoned.