Al Nashshash, Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Nabi Yunis, Wed 11.2.09, Morning
6:40 am, Bethlehem Checkpoint: long lines at the four stations checking those entering. We see no problems with the checking of hands. The people say that there is not a big crowd waiting at the entrance. Nice to see the plastic roof at the exit in use as people wait there out of rain.
7:15 am, Al Nashshash: no one asks for help.
7:40 am, Etzion DCL: about forty people are waiting in the rain. Precisely at 8:00 am a soldier comes out to put a sign on the door saying the DCL will only open at 10:30 am. We call N, the commander. He agrees that the people should be allowed to wait inside. After a few minutes the door is opened and the people flock inside to wait out of the rain.
8:30 am, Nabi Yunis: a man tells us that he is stopped by the police from receiving a magnetic card without reason. We instruct him whom to call at the DCL in Hebron, where he lives. After more chatting he tells us that he deals in stolen auto parts! Could that be the reason?