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Bethlehem, Fri 11.4.08, Morning

Place: Bethlehem (300)
Observers: Efrat B. and Lea A. (reporting)
Apr-11-2008
| Morning


 

Bethlehem Checkpoint 
 

9:05- An elder man stopped us even before we entered the building, he told us that one of the soldiers was rude to him. He was very upset about it, he was offended by the humiliating treatment he received.  

Two posts were open, the lines were short, but from time to time on one was in line. It was obvious that most of those passing to Jerusalem had permits for the orthodox Easter. Many parents passed with their children  and also tourists.  

A young man told us that about a week before three busses full of passengers arrived at the other side of the cp, but there were no posts open and they had no one to turn to.  

Two detainees were sent back to Bethlehem. We didn't know why or for how long they had been detained.  

A large group of tourists from Poland passed from Bethlehem to Jerusalem.  

An elder woman who lives by the wall told us she has lands and olive trees in her territory which is between Tantur and the wall. The army won't allow her family to work part of the land. She was on her way with a group of women heading to the north.  

9:50 – We left. 

  • Bethlehem (300)

    See all reports for this place
    • Located adjacent to the Separation Wall ("Jerusalem Wrap") at the north entrance to Bethlehem, this checkpoint cuts off Bethlehem and the entire West Bank from East Jerusalem, with all the serious implications for health services, trade, education, work and the fabric of life. The checkpoint is manned by the Border police and private security companies. It is an extensive infrastructure barrier and is designated as a border terminal, open 24 hours a day for foreign tourists. Israeli passport holders are not allowed to pass to Bethlehem, and Palestinian residents are not allowed to enter Jerusalem, except those with entry permits to Israel and East Jerusalem residents. Israeli buses are allowed to travel to Bethlehem only through this checkpoint.
      The checkpoint, which demonstrated harsh conditions of crowding and extreme passage delays for years, started employing advanced electronic identification posts and has upgraded its gates' system as of the middle of 2019  - and conditions improved.
      Adjacent to the checkpoint, in an enclosure between high walls and another passage, is the historic Rachel's Tomb, which is now embedded within a concrete fortified building. It contains prayer and study complexes for Jews only, as well as a residential complex. updated  November 2019   .
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