Etzion DCL, Mon 21.2.11, Afternoon

Etzion DCL at 13:45: Shlomit carefully recorded the activity therein:

There were 12 people in the external waiting hall.

14:10:One person emerged with a permit. We asked someone to tell us how many people were waiting within – the reply was 14.

14:35:A woman came out, having been requested to fill in an application and pay 60 NIS for renewal of her magnetic card. We encouraged her to do so at once; she returned within an hour and was allowed in immediately.

Two persons seeking a medical permit were also admitted.

15:08:1 came out with a magnetic card

15:15:2 came out with a magnetic card

15:20:1 came out with a magnetic card, claimed to have been                                       there since 8:30.

15:25:2 came out with a magnetic card

15:27:1 came out with a magnetic card

15:30:2 came out with a magnetic card  

15:30:All the folks in the waiting hall were admitted in.

16:10, 16:18, 16:20, 16:22, 16:29, 16:35, 16:36, 16:40,16:42, they came out one after the other with their updated cards. One of the men complained that a delay occurred since there was difficulty identifying his fingerprints.

2-3 more people came for authorizations.

A woman settler from Teqo'a (Rabbi Furmann's) came to assist a Palestinian acquaintance who was having difficulty obtaining permits. We helped her out and agreed with her about the difficulties.

The Palestinian came out with the authorizations a few minutes later. One of the Palestinians there told us that he had a call last night from the Shabak requesting him to show up at the DCL for questioning: a soldier told him that they had pulled his leg! I submitted a complaint to the Humanitarian hotpoint, gave the Palestinian my name and phone number, since we didn't know how to proceed and worried that he wouldn't have proof of the incident if he needed it.

Reviewing the above information, obviously the first group waited at least 1hour and 23 minutes to have their card issued or renewed, compared to the second group, who waited 40 minutes, exactly half! What is the cause?

All the above was recorded by eyesight. But what about hearsay: Well, we were told that the DCL had opened at 08:30, 20 persons had been admitted then, and another group had been admitted before our arrival.

And our heartfelt feelings: Much pain, frustration, and anger are observed. For example, a film producer came for a permit and was out with her permit half an hour later. One of the Palestinians remarked: you see, even when there's perfect coordination it takes them at least half an hour to issue a permit… (not true, as it really took 17 minutes which is necessary!)