Back to reports search page

Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Sun 21.10.07, Morning

Place: Bethlehem (300) Etzion DCO
Tags: Crowding DCO (District Coordination Offices) Health Problems Passage Restrictions Slow passage
Observers: Sylvia P., Ofra B., Renana S., Chana A.(reporting) two guests from the LLutheran Church of Sweden
Oct-21-2007
| Morning
   
show details
 Oct 21 

6:50 Bethlehem CP: We met two of the ecumenicals from Sweden and Germany. They had been at the terminal on the other side since 5AM. The gates were opened at 5:12 and after a short time, with about 2000 people waiting at the Bethlehem side, the entrance into the terminal closed. It remained closed, with people frantically pushing, for a long time, at least half an hour. Then people were let through one by one, very slowly. What caused this is unknown. Five windows had been open at the Israeli side, so there it went OK even with a lot of people going through. When we got there, there were only three windows open and few people.

A father with a small infant who is in dialysis treatment in Shaarei Zedek, couldn't get through. His permit had expired yesterday! After a lot of calling and begging for him to get through, the deputy commander of the terminal, D, came and solved the problem; he was allowed to go through and promised to get a new permit in the afternoon.

The terminal police is being privatized: there were two men, marked with signs of בטיחון and dressed in black vests, walking around and bullying people (including us!) Of course, privatization in this very sensitive area can lead to very negative results.

8:10 Etsion DCL: Lots of people ask for our help. Dozens are sitting in the waiting room for the beginning of the magnetic card distribution. We meet some people who are going to receive magnetic cards due to our intervention on their part.

  • 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