Bethlehem (300)
09:30-11:00
More Palestinians are passing today. Every now and then a line is formed for few moments only. Most of the time 2 windows are open, for a short while a third one was opened.
Many children are in holiday attire. I don't know of any holiday. Maybe just a feeling that there is some break and the sun is out…I spoke on the phone with a friend from Bethlehem who said it was very quiet there.
Only one man had to go back. He knew that his permit had expired but he wanted very badly to make sure with the soldier at the window that he is not GSS prevented. "No prevention" assured him the soldier "but you can't pass now."
The cleaning man was sweeping vigorously the whole space and wanted to take out the garbage bags from the windows. Per the soldier's order he called the security guard and told him: "I am going in to take the garbage out. Watch me"…The security guard held his weapon and followed him till he went out with the garbage bag…
The reign of terror .
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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