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Bethlehem, Fri 4.12.09, Morning

Place: Bethlehem (300)
Observers: Efrat B., Claire O. (both reporting)
Dec-04-2009
| Morning

 

09.00 – 10.45 AM, Bethlehem – Checkpoint 300: very many people are crossing, the great majority of them Moslem Palestinians, and some of them with small children. Only a few tourists.

 Most of the time, three inspection stations are open. There is a queue in front of each one but it progresses quickly. There are no unusual incidents, and we don’t  hear of anyone being refused entry. We receive many  greetings and smiles.
At a certain stage, another inspection station is opened because of the pressure, without our having to request this.
The checkpoint is a terrible place but today it is nearly bearable. 

 

  • 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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