November 20, 2002

Looking for a Suicide Bomber

[Bethlehem, West Bank] Israelis made a night invasion into Bethlehem today. They entered Bethlehem through El Hader and went as far as the Dheisheh Refugee Camp. So today Bethlehem was a closed military zone. Not counting the standard checkpoints, I was stopped by soldiers three additional times today and questioned about my business in the West Bank. Of course I was not the only one stopped, everyone was. Every soldier stopping me today said that they had been tipped off that there was a suicide bomber heading to Jerusalem from Bethlehem, and they had to clamp down.

The Bethlehem checkpoint must have been the best place to catch some sun today. Why else would Palestinians line up there?

Palestinians and Israelis mixing (well, not exactly mixing) at the Bethlehem Checkpoint.

This traffic sign was simple but unusually effective.