June 2, 2002

Israeli Mini-Camp Outside Bethlehem

[Bethlehem, Palestine] I'd guess you would call it a "mini-camp." It's near (or perhaps on) the property of the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox monastery near the Bethlehem checkpoint. I counted about twenty tanks lined up in quiet rows and currently unmanned. There were only a few APCs, and I didn't see many soldiers either. But rumors persist about another invasion in Bethlehem tonight or tomorrow, and I never consider the presence of tanks right outside (or inside) Bethlehem a good sign.

As I crossed the checkpoint going into Bethlehem, I asked the soldiers if there was going to be another invasion into town. He grinned at me and said he didn't know. I asked another one and he asked "into Dheisheh?" I asked him "into anywhere?" He said he didn't know and brushed me off. To be on the safe side, I stocked up on fresh fruit on my way home.

Tanks greatly outnumbered the APCs at the mini-camp.

Rows of tanks send a not so subtle message to Bethlehem, Beit Jala and Beit Sahour.

As long as I kept my distance, the guard didn't seem concerned about me.

Israeli military vehicles nestled in the hills near Bethlehem