Nabi Yunis

Bethlehem area, Wednesday PM, 23.8.06Observers: Daniella G., Maya B (reporting)Our shift seemed to revolve around the weekly exchange of documents ofpolice fines paid by our Haya. We made several stops -- Ezyon, Beit Omar,Nabi Yunis -- meeting the Palestinians, grateful for small mercies.15:00 DCL Ezyon: Large number of cars outside, the usual stench from thelavatories, the usual crowding at the carousel. However, the rate ofmovement into the DCL was faster than usual, and we heard no complaints onthose grounds. The people emerging from the offices also seemed by andlarge satisfied.Ezyon roundabout: Soldiers manning it, but not stopping any cars,irrespective of the type of license plates.Halhul-Sair junction: Signs from either side of it warning: "Slowdown,CP ahead". But there was no CP. Just a jeep with some reserve soldiers.Still, it looks like they are preparing a CP there, the kind that existson road 443.Road 60: Mixed traffic, little if any military vehicles. Long lines atthe Tunnel CP, Jerusalem bound, but they move quickly.Beit Jalla: Nothing at all going on.Bethlehem CP: Entrance to the final stretch of road before the CP wasblocked by blue police. Upon inquiry we were told that this being thefirst of the (Hebrew) month, many people were headed to Rachel's Tomb. Sothe police were checking out those wishing to proceed. It didn't seemthey were preventing any obvious groups from entry (i.e, Palestininascould proceed, as well as religious Jews).Altogether an uneventful shift.