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Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Sun 15.11.09, Afternoon

Place: Bethlehem (300) Etzion DCO
Observers: Yael B.-Y., Daniella G. (reporting), Maya B.- H. (translating)
Nov-15-2009
| Afternoon

14:45 PM, Etzion DCL: the parking lot is rather full. 15 people waiting,

mostly for magnetic cards, some for permits. The computer is apparently

down, and the wait is long. The soldier's loudspeaker is out of order, so

we phone him. Little hope for the computer to be repaired today, he says.

He agrees, however, that those sent home will not have to wait another

week, but can retrun on Wednesday. Permits for tomorrow will be handled

now regardless of the computer. One person waiting for a permit handed in

his documents in the morning, and now is shuttled back and forth between

this DCL and the Palestinian one. It finally transpires that the man's

request was denied. No explanation given, and no documents returned. The

man is not realy surprised. He will try again,with Hana's help.

 

16:00 PM, Bethlehem – Checkpoint 300: the line is pretty long but we timed passage at 2 minutes.

  • Bethlehem (300)

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    • 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   .

  • Etzion DCO

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    •   serves residents of Bethlehem and surrounding villages who need magnetic cards, work permits for Israel, permits for one-time entry for religious or health reasons, various police permits, etc.
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