Beit Ummar, Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Nabi Yunis, Mon 27.4.09, Morning
06:45 AM, Bethlehem - Checkpoint 300: two windows are open and short lines are waiting next to them. Today there is a closure
at the CPs. Some church workers pass as well as few other persons. At the entrance to the checkpoint a small announcement in Arabic stating that starting on 1 May 2009 everyone who leaves in the morning at this checkpoint, must return through the same point not later than the time permitted on his permit. It is allowed to return through other computerized checkpoints. The point is that the computer supervises that all return to their pen in the occupied territories.
People we met at the Etzion DCL are very worried by this novelty. They pass the checkpoint late. Until now they could return via non-computerized checkpoints that are close to their homes and that saves them time. For instance, a person from Hussan who passes through Zur Hadassah – only a few kilometers from his home – must now leave through the Bethlehem checkpoint and make a huge detour to get to his place of work. Before he was enabled to return through the Beitar checkpoint which is located close to his home and close to Zur Hadassah, now he must return on his detour. This reduces his possible work hours.
07:30 AM, Hussan: we signed papers for the law court concerning the secret service.
08:00 AM, Etzion DCL: only few people are waiting (closure). We were asked by phone if there is a policeman present. We asked the officer and he said: "who needs a policeman can come here and he will be told." We asked that they tell us in order to save those asking an unnecessary trip, and he said that he doesn’t know but he said: “I know all I need to know”. In the central office of the DCL’s in the new police station at Ma’aleh Edomim the policewoman in charge answered us. We said that we are being asked whether there is a policeman at Etzion DCL and she said: why do they call you? Let them call me, let them call where it is necessary (!) Of course, they don’t have her telephone number. After more pressure from us she inquired that the policeman will arrive at 11:00.
We said: "the soldiers in the DCL should know and inform the people if and when the policeman is present."
The policewoman: “The soldiers cannot know because they change tours of duty (!)”
Of course there is no announcement in the waiting room.
Last week there were whole days that people waited in vain for a policeman in the DCL’s of Etzion and Hebron.
08:30 AM, Beit Ummar: we gave some advise and signed papers for the lawyer.
Our friend Muhamad who was shot in his knee by settlers from Bat Ayin who went out to the fields of Beth Ummar to wreak revenge on the Palestinians, left the hospital to his home, while he needs crutches to get from his bed to the toilet. He will continue treatment at the orthopedic hospital at Beit Jallah. He still does not know what will be with his leg. “Yesh Din” collected testimony from him, but it is difficult to expect that one of his attackers will get his just punishment, because as is known these are Jewish hooligans.
09:00 AM, Nabi Yunis: we gave some advise and we took forms as above.