Beit Ummar, Bethlehem, Fri 16.7.10, Morning
Bethlehem - Checkpoint 300: A terrible situation at the CP: apparently people have been waiting since 7:30 when the CP had been closed due to the visit of a group of young people assigned to conduct PR and propaganda abroad on behalf of the Jewish Agency. They were shown the marvels and advancements of the CP while hundreds of Palestinians were crowded outside waiting in despair for the CP to open.
Finally, annoyed and angry Palestinians started emerging. A young woman remarked: go see what is going on at the other side. We explained that we were not allowed to cross over but had reported on the situation.
At Beit 'Ummar and surroundings we were assigned with several errands: collecting signatures and payments for legal counselling re annulment of a passage restriction.