Beit El DCL, Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Mon 6.4.09, Afternoon
Pesach Time
Etzion DCL: in another 2 days, the Passover (Pesach) seder arrives, in another day and a half – theclosure. Who knows for how long, this time, except for those lucky ones who are Christian – and not `denied' by the Secret Service. They get permits, including sleeping over (sometimes) for one month in order to observe Easter and Good Friday with their relatives in Jerusalem or even in Israel.
According to the DCL we are talking about 10,000 permits.
Today there were some 30 persons who came with requests to get permits and did not understand why `everyone received it, except my wife' or `why didn't I get one – I am OK'.
A telephone call from us to the head of the DCL and he explained that there is a problem since the Palestinians asked for permits via several entry points (the same person requested a permit several times, at ceveral CPs) – and the permits are for one point of entry only. Last year permits got lost and there is no follow-up whose permit is suitable for which point of entry. This time the policy is to issue another permit, without having to make the Christians run back and forth from one CP to another (maybe because of the forthcoming visit of the pope?)
And then the head of the DCL told me (?!) to prepare a list of names and telephone numbers of the people who asked for permits in order that the DCL will be able to contact them. Within 5 minutes Nabuani called me again to tell me that I should not make a list. He will prepare the list since that is his job (and that is right).
Thereupon the soldier called those interested in permits to come forward. The Palestinians started pushing (not all but most of them) and moved toward the caroussel in order to enter fast to be registered and have their requests examined.
Three waited for the secret service and five waited for me.
13:00 PM, Beit El: a Passover (Pesach) ceremony was held at Beit El and only one new female soldier remained in charge at the humanitarian post.
14:10: all returned to work. One family arrived at the DCL as during the night one of the men of the family was take for investigation and they don't know where he is. The family was very worried and they received the telephone number of the desk for the defense of the individual.
Happy freedom feast.
Beit El DCL
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Beit El DCL
The District Coordination Office. Serves the people of Ramallah and its environs.
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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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