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Bethlehem (300)

Place: Bethlehem (300)
Observers: Efrat B., Clair Oren, Translation: Naomi Gal
Feb-07-2014
| Morning

 

 

08:45 to 10:30 
Two windows are open – most of the time there is no pressure.

A masked security guard tries to push us out claiming we disturb him and that it is forbidden to stand there. The checkpoint commander calmed him down.

Grandparents arrive with their grandson, a boy of seven. The woman-soldier refuses to let them pass. We turn to the commander so he can examine and consider. Eventually, he lets them pass but he explains to us: “There are instructions not to let a child pass without a parent because there were cases when people tried to smuggle children." The purpose of the checkpoint is of course to maintain law and order in Palestinian Society.

People approach us and say the situation on the other side is difficult, a long wait, only one sleeve is open. We turn to the DCO and it's probably beneficial because suddenly a lot of people arrive and wait at the two windows. The commander stands between the windows and passes some of the people to shorten the wait.

 

  • 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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