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A report in the Corona days: And again, the settlers are cutting down Palestinian trees

Place: Bethlehem (300)
Tags: Updates during Corona
Observers: Hagit Bak transfer telephone report from Hebron. translator : Charles K.
Mar-29-2020
| Morning

I just received a phone call from M.A.H. who had been a B’Tselem investigator when we established Machsom Watch’s southern group.  We’ve grown old together.  Now we’re both in a risk group.  M. moved from Dura and now lives in Ramallah, keeping track of settler harassment.  He told me that on Thursday, 27.3.20, near the Sa’ir gate and near Bethlehem, settlers cut down trees on land belonging to Palestinians.

The occupation proceeds as usually in the Ramallah area, people are arrested at checkpoints, although very few people now leave their homes.

We made an appointment to meet in Ramallah after the corona.

Good health!

  • 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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