Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Mon 20.7.09, Afternoon

Bethlehem - Checkpoint 300: we arrived shortly after 14:00 .The Bethlehem Checkpoint was performing as we  thought the last times when we didn’t arrive in the afternoon – no lines at all, the guard from the  private company was courteous, saying that he doesn’t intervene – because intervention only  delays.

Roni Noma has indeed left, to be replaced by Hagai who is harder to reach, but possible.We asked about Menashe, but nobody knew him including the DCL representative from Bethlehem.There was no reason to stay, so we moved on.

Etzion DCL: the DCL, as oposed to the Bethlehem checkpoint, was pressured today. Lots of people seeking magnetic cards and permits. There were two officers, but shortly after we arrived the computers crashed – the whole system fell, and nothing could be issued. The man with fingerprint problems from Thursday returned today to the DCL. Despite getting a new card, he was again sent back from the crossing and lost a day’s work. Because of the system crash we couldn’t help him.

We also couldn’t help with two medical permits that had reached the DCL but it was impossible to check the status of the applicants.

At 16:00 roughly, people were told to come back tomorrow to be dealt with.

There were also Shabak summonses – and on the way I met two men.

The first said that the army had invaded his land with a “military area” order for lookouts, and tonight settlers set up an outpost. He was directed to Yesh Din, and I hope he will be dealt with.

The second came out from Shabak agitated: what had happened? They held him six hours in a cell and released – no reason. The previous time they shouted at him and threatened. There was water and toilet facilities, but a day of his life was wasted.

He didn’t want to complain and it was best not to try and persuade him because in this system of uncertainty anything that happens to a complainant can accuse me that all was because he complained. So I listened, heard the pain, and could do nothing.