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Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Fri 15.2.08, Morning

Place: Bethlehem (300) Etzion DCO
Observers: Efrat and Keler (reporting)
Feb-15-2008
| Morning

Bethelehem Checkpoint, Etzion DCL, and Wallaje

 

09.00  The Bethlehem Checkpoint is almost deserted, and only a few people are passing

       through.   An elderly woman tries her luck again and again, and asks for our help.

           She explains to a female soldier that she is old, and only wants to pray and visit

      her sister who is hospitalized.   No justification for her request has any effect.

           “Calm yourself”, the soldier barks at her. 
     “How can you speak to her like that; she could be your grandmother “we tell the soldier.  
    “You are not allowed to interfere with our work” says a higher ranking soldier who has been called out of the office.   “You can stand here and report on what you see, but you are forbidden to interfere” she adds sternly. 

10.00  Etzion DCL  :Not a soul to be seen, everything is closed.   We circle the building, and a soldier who spots us asks what we are looking for.    In answer to our question “what will you do if there is a humanitarian problem ?”, he answers that in that case the person will be allowed to enter.   Has anyone come here this morning ?”.  “No . . . “ . 

10.30 Wallaje :We slowly drive in a zigzag between the concrete blocks.   The soldiers make a point of looking aside and not meeting our gaze. 

  • 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   .

  • Etzion DCO

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    •   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.
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