Bethlehem, Thu 26.6.08, Morning

5:45,  Rachel Crossing: There are 4 boots open when we arrived. The hall was reduced by installing sliding doors after the 4th pair of booths. There is almost no presence of the prívate security guards. The lines are ordered, not too crowded and not too long. We suppose that the crossing movement is regulated from the Palestinian side.

From time to time we hear at the megaphone "Silence, please", with the kindergarten tone usual to the place (have you ever heard something like this at any crossing between countries or cities, at any other country?).

In spite of what we see, Palestinian women  tell us that this has been one of the worst weeks. They have had to wait over 2 hours most of the days and what is happening on the Palestinian side is untolerable.