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Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Fri 18.11.11, Morning
Place:
Bethlehem (300)
Etzion DCO
Observers: Efrat B., Clare O. (both reporting). Ilil N.-B. (translating)
9:15-11:15
Bethlehem – Checkpoint 300: four lanes are open. Once in a while, a female soldier in lane 2 raises her voice and rudely disciplines the Palestinians: “Take out your permits!” She calls them to order.
To a Palestinian hoping to cross with his children she says: “You have a work permit. This isn’t a children’s summer camp!”
An older man presents his permit, but the permit says it won’t be valid yet for another two days. Two weeks ago there were similar cases like these, just as tough as today. So he’s not allowed to pass: in two days he won’t pose a threat to the State of Israel, but today he apparently does.
We can’t hear any of the other soldiers.
To a Palestinian hoping to cross with his children she says: “You have a work permit. This isn’t a children’s summer camp!”
An older man presents his permit, but the permit says it won’t be valid yet for another two days. Two weeks ago there were similar cases like these, just as tough as today. So he’s not allowed to pass: in two days he won’t pose a threat to the State of Israel, but today he apparently does.
We can’t hear any of the other soldiers.
Etzion DCL, 10:30 am: we drive towards the DCL to meet a Palestinian who had worked for years in Israel until one day, he was suddenly forever denied permission to enter. He tells us that someone had reported to the GSS that he’s an arms dealer. Now he must somehow raise considerable sums of money for legal fees to try and overturn the ruling.
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 .
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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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