Back to reports search page

Bethlehem (300), Etzion DCL, Thu 3.5.12, Afternoon

Place: Bethlehem (300) Etzion DCO
Observers: Shlomit S., Ora A. (reporting)
May-03-2012
| Afternoon

Etzion DCL,   14.30 PM:

 

There are only two cars in the parking lot, and the waiting hall is empty.  A man and a  woman come out very happily because they received a permit for a family reunion.  According to them there is no-one inside.  Two more people who arrive are taken inside, and come out immediately with permits.

 

A  dejected young man who has been refused entry is sitting outside.  He was told that today is not the right day for his village.  We phone to the Humanitarian Center and request that they should make an effort to have him received today, because there is no queue and no other people waiting.  We also explain that if he has to come again he will lose a day’s work and will have to pay again for the taxi journey .  Shulamit also speaks with the soldier on duty,who consults his commander, and the young man’s request is granted.

 

Another young man, who has come on the day allocated for his village, is not allowed to enter and is told that “ There are no magnetic cards”.  Shulamit again speaks with the soldier on duty, the young man is allowed to enter and receives his magnetic card.

 

Thus “we succeeded” with two “successes” today.

  • 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   .

  • Etzion DCO

    See all reports for this place
    •   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.
Donate