Back to reports search page

Bethlehem, Tue 4.1.11, Morning

Place: Bethlehem (300)
Observers: D., R. reporting
Jan-04-2011
| Morning

 6:45 am, Bethlehem – checkpoint 300:  five checking stations are open.  Everyone reports that it is a "good day". By 7:15 am about 2,530 people have passed. 

There are several groups of women, families, and young people who are on their way to visit in Haifa. There is difficulty sometimes with the permits, but A, the representative from Etzion DCL, is right there to straighten everything out, and the groups pass. A is very warm to the people and many people say hello to him.

A man asked for help in finding his son who was picked up for being in Israel illegally. We called the Humanitarian number. Finally, they said they would look into it. 

  • 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   .
Donate