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Bethlehem, Tue 25.10.11, Morning

Place: Bethlehem (300)
Tags: Soldiers at checkpoints
Observers: Rachel M., Drora P.. (Reporting). Ilil N.-B. (translating)
Oct-25-2011
| Morning

 

Bethlehem – Checkpoint 300 (Rachel’s Pass):   at 6:40 am there were long queues before the final exit.  Five lanes were operating at a steady pace, with no incidents and sometimes even a smile.  At 7:00 am the number of lanes went down to two, and at 7:10 everyone was through and on their way to work, thanking us on their way out and saying it was “all thanks to us”…
The soldiers at the checkpoint called out to Rachel and asked her what we were doing there.  Rachel explained politely.  After a few minutes, a Palestinian walked by and told us that a soldier had said it’s good that we’re watching out for Palestinian rights.  So this is how we got positive feedback from an IDF representative.
A good day.  May there be many more like it, and even better than it, hopefully.

  • 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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