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Bethlehem (300)

Place: Bethlehem (300)
Observers: Clair Oren, Translator: Naomi Gal
Apr-04-2014
| Morning

Bethlehem 

08:50 to 10:55

Two windows are open, many people are waiting.

I turned to the security guard and asked him to call someone to open an additional window. He said: "there is not enough manpower." I turned to the Humanitarian Center. Shortly thereafter, related or unrelated to my request, the commander comes out, opens the gate between the windows and calls: "Bass Nisuan"(Only women) and within minutes they all pass. Later when once again pressure builds, a third and even a fourth window was opened.

People are checked thoroughly; no one is exempt from the biometric check, and this whole ceremony of laying a finger, cleaning the finger, changing hands etc. takes time. However, there is some flexibility today when it comes to children: except for one child, who came with his ​​grandmother and was returned (he repeatedly told the soldier: Iben Abnaha – I am the son of her son but it did not help) all the other kids passed, including those who forgot their Kushan at home and others.

Also a guy who arrived with a Jordanian passport but without visa was not allowed to enter.

People were relaxed and smiling today. The second time the officer stood between positions and called out, "Bass Nisuan" many men came too and passed quickly and happily.

 

 

  • 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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