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בית לחם (300)

Place: Bethlehem (300)
Tags: Ramadan
Observers: Clair Oren reporting, Yael, Translation: Naomi Gal
Jun-26-2015
| Morning

The second Friday of Ramadan

9:00 to 11:00

The access road to the checkpoint is closed by the police but you can park on the side of the road. Crowds pass non-stop, women go around (along with older men and children), young men pass through the checkpoint windows or go through the second gate (not the usual gate) directly to the parking lot, where many women are waiting for family members to join them. Occasionally the soldiers try to remove them (some with a shout and a threat, others politely). Later, a senior police officer said, 'It is okay, they can wait here until their men arrive."

The young people who are not allowed to pass are standing aside, per order of the chief policeman, and are expressing their displeasure.

The sight of the crowds being pushed like herds by security forces in order to empty the lot and board the buses is less than thrilling. However the situation is by far better than it was several years ago concerning the percentage of Palestinians whose right to hold their worship is respected. And in fact even better than the rest of the year and as said in other reports – it clarifies further the true purpose of all walls and checkpoints.

  • 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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