Al Nashshash, Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Mon 2.6.08, Morning
06:45, Checkpoint 300: A very large number of people, only four inspection positions in operation. After we phoned to the Humanitarian office two more positions were opened and the pressure abated somewhat. People complained about the pressure and about the long hours they had been waiting : from five in the morning until they came out at seven. A female soldier in one of the inspection positions constantly stopped the inspections and tried to make order in the queue. This is “mission impossible” and each such a halt just increased the pressure.
07:30, Chusan
07:45, Al Nashshash
08:00 – 08:30, Beit Omer: Several Palestinians consult us about various problems which are known to us.
08:45, Beit Anoun: Three jeeps are standing on both sides of the road. The Palestinians say that the soldiers stop, check and sometimes hold-up for a long time the people passing by. According to them, children on their way to school are also held-up. Crossing the road is extremely dangerous for them.
09:45, Etzion DCL: There are about fifteen cars in the parking lot although there are only about ten people inside waiting for magnetic cards. According to them, they have to come to the DCL after two years for their card to be examined. The renewal costs 40 shekels, but sometimes they are told that the card is damaged and that they must apply for a new one, which cost 90 shekels. Therefore, their total “investment” is 130 shekels – a not inconsiderable sum for someone who often is out of work and short of money.
A-Nashshash
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A-Nashshash
Junction on Road 60 from leading to the southern outskirts of al-Khader, to Salomon pools and to Bethlehem. Until 2015, a blockade at the junction prevented the passage of vehicles from the south (from Hebron) to Bethlehem and from there to the north of the West Bank and vice versa, and a small market developed at the junction, with taxis serving both directions on two sides of the blockage. Until 2015, Members of MachsomWatch police reports team would come to the scene to receive and return traffic violations reports for payment (possible only in Israel).- from Palestinians without a entrance permit to Israel. There is usually no military or police supervision i n place.
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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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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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