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Bethlehem (300), Fri 28.6.13, Morning
Place:
Bethlehem (300)
Observers: Efrat B., Clair Oren, Translator: Naomi Gal
BETHLEHEM
9:00 to 11:00
At the beginning of the shift, 3 windows are open, then 4 and at the end of the shift only 2; a large group of soldiers went out to eat.
There is hardly any waiting in line, not on the Israeli side and probably not on the Palestinian side. One woman came out with her young son and suddenly noticed her missing ring – apparently having forgotten it on the checking sleeve on the Palestinian side. She returned there with her son and within 8 minutes was back on the Israeli side with the ring.
Nobody was turned back today. Children passed as well and were running happily toward freedom.
Ramadan is in two weeks time
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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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