February 24, 2001 — Mudeif Productions

*Naim Ateek speaks with Israeli soldiers at the Bethlehem checkpoint.*

Today was a day of more "solidarity visits." Our visit to Bethlehem began much like our visit to Ramallah three days ago - 90 minutes at the checkpoint. Eventually, all 300 of us were allowed to pass, but our buses were not. We walked (or rolled) across, but apparently something about our group made the soldiers nervous (perhaps the "End the Occupation" banners had something to do with it), and they stopped a Palestinian Israeli girl in our group and confiscated her ID. She was willing to head back to Jerusalem, but the soldiers "lost" her ID. As a group, we returned to the checkpoint and decided to sit and wait until they "found" it. Banners and all. Not surprisingly, it was eventually discovered.

We headed off to Bethlehem again, and our Israeli Palestinian friend walked through the gardens of Tantur Ecumenical Institute to join us (as an estimate 1000 Palestinians do every day around this "closure." The Israelis are aware of it - it happens in their full sight). We heard more speeches, returning to the theme of "our independent Palestinian State," but the response was less enthusiastic. Perhaps a one state vision has taken hold of this group in the intervening days.

After lunch, we headed off in different buses on tours of the area. Ours stopped in Beit Jala where we visited in December, and also to Dheisheh refugee camp. The conditions there are appalling, both in terms of services and density.

After returning to Jerusalem (having to argue our way in, of course, at the Tantur checkpoint), we joined some journalist friends for dinner. Their views on the "Situation" were most interesting, particularly given what people are saying about "Western media bias" on both sides of the conflict. There does seem to be a certain hopelessness that swirls around this place, and one that has taken on a new face as Sharon prepares to take office in Israel.