Al Nashshash, Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Nabi Yunis, Wed 11.3.09, Morning
6:45 AM, Bethlehem Checkpoint: people come through in ones and twos. There is a complete closure because of Purim. Actually, many people say, "Good morning" to us as we enter. Is this a different crowd? Two checking posts are open. After fifteen minutes, no one is entering Jerusalem.
7:15 AM, Al Nashshash: no one approaches us for help.
7:45 AM, Etzion DCL: not one vehicle in the parking lot. The entrance door is already open! Three men enter, and are invited to go right in.
8:10 AM, Beit Ummar: the parking lot is empty and soldiers stand about. An ambulance stands to the side. We pull up and the soldiers approach us. One pulls out of his pocket the closure order for us to read. He smiles and retreats. We continue. At this moment quiet reigns.
8:15 AM, Nabi Yunis: we meet one man who must sign papers for a lawyer since he is trying to remove the obstacle for his ability to work in Jerusalem. His employer is paying for the lawyer.
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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Nabi Yunis
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Nabi YunisA meeting place at the junction of Route 60 and the road leading to the eastern entrance to Hebron.
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