Al Nashshash, Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Mon 28.7.08, Morning
6:45 AM, Checkpoint 300: Five posts were open, few people were waiting in line. They told us there were many people outside waiting to be let in, but only few were allowed to enter. They said the time it took to pass was about half an hour. A good day they said. A man who came with his 6 or 7 year old child was sent back because the child didn't have a permit. The inspection posts with the biometrical examination were almost empty. People prefer the regular posts- food for thought.
7:25 AM, Husan: No one was there.
7:30 AM, Nashshash: No one was there.
8:00 AM, Etzion DCL: About 60-80 people were waiting, some of them had numbers from the previous day. An officer and a soldier came and called out in Hebrew the numbers from the previous day. Those people entered the waiting hall and after them came all the rest hopping they might be also be let in on that day.
8:30 AM, Beit Omar: Few people came to us with the usual requests. One person came from Smoa and said there were many checkpoints on the way from there. People also called to tell us that there were strict inspection and passage was slow. A bus driver stood at Pawar checkpoint for over an hour and a half (based on his phone calls) until managing to pass to Jerico.
9:00 AM, Nabi Unis: Since only a few people came to see us we took our time to explain to them things that are unexplainable- the criterions.
10:15 AM, Etzion DCL: Most of the people were still waiting, those with numbers form the previous day had already entered and the other were waiting, not knowing whether or when they would be permitted to enter, or even whether and when the numbers would be distributed. Called and asked that they distribute the numbers so that people would know whether they should head home and return on the next day, especially those with high numbers. The woman who answered said she would find out. By 10:45, when we left, there was still no response and everyone kept waiting as if Godo was to appear.
We drove back from the southern entrance to Efrat on the raod crossing Za'atara. Between Tkoa and Nokdim there it a wide road with 4 lanes. From Nokdim to Jerusalem there was only 2 lanes, but they have begun widening it. The view was so lovely that we could see the houses at Har Hahoma.