Al Nashshash, Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Wed 4.6.08, Morning - machsomwatch
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Al Nashshash, Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Wed 4.6.08, Morning

Tags: Crowding
Observers: Drora P, Ora A, (reporting), Yosef M – driver and helper
Jun-04-2008
| Morning

Nebeh Yunis

6:20, Bethlehem Checkpoint:  The same as last week, the queues are long with a lot of crowding. Only four stations are open – why don’t they open more ?  A passing soldier told us that one of the female soldiers who worked here is ill and there is no replacement. Before we can ask any more questions, a guard from the “ARIE” private security company approaches us and forbids the soldier to speak to us.

 

The guard is smoking and when we show him the “No Smoking” sign, he is annoyed and tells us “there are 800 smokers in the queue” and therefore he will also smoke.   He has no name-tag and therefore there is no way to identify him. He refuses to continue to talk to us, distances himself from us and pulls the soldier after him. We phone anyone who perhaps can arrange for additional checking-stations to be opened, but without success.   The guard continues to move around, “putting everything in order”, rudely and arrogantly – and, of course, continues to smoke.

 

We have already written and complained about the unbearable behavior of the private contractors’ security personnel, over whom there is no supervision. We shall write again, complain, and insist that identity tags are issued. 

 

 07:15, El Nashnash: No-one approaches us. 

07:40,  Nebeh Yunis: A Palestinian asks us to help him. He tells us that his car was confiscated from him on the grounds that it was stolen, although he has all the necessary licenses and documents to record the payments he made when he bought it. He wasn’t given any receipt for the car and doesn’t know the identity of the person who took it. We passed a power-of-attorney and all the details to Chia, and she will try to investigate the matter. 

08:15, Etzion DCL: About 30 people are waiting in the hall, mostly applicants for magnetic cards, and General Security Service (GSS) – denied people.   We refer a man who told us he worked in a Jerusalem restaurant, to Sylvia.   He visited Jordan, and when he returned he was refused an entry permit on the grounds that he is on the GSS – denied list.   Another person complains that he has been summoned to appear in court, although for the last 10 years he hasn’t been in Israel and doesn’t understand why he was summoned.  

 

 

  • 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.

  • 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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