Beit Ummar, Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Nabi Yunis, Mon 15.3.10, Morning
7:00 AM, Bethlehem – Checkpoint 300: because of the closure, very few people were passing. Only two checking booths were operating, one of which – miraculously – had two computers! Unfortunately, the two women soldiers operating them were lounging back in their chairs (one chewing gum) and indolently looked at documents from that position. We phoned to complain about their disrespectful behaviour.
7:15 AM: met with two clients, as arranged, for them to sign power of attorney.
8.00 AM, Etzion DCL: a number of men were waiting for the office to open. We ascertained that there was a police officer present to handle queries.
At each point, Chaya explains to the clients that they must not leave without getting a printed answer, not relying on some spoken answer. If they have trouble in this respect, they are to phone her before leaving the station. Sometimes we have to rely on a local to translate into Arabic and can only hope that the instructions do not get distorted on the way.
8:30 AM, Halhul: once again ‘admired’ the newly paved entrance – which was recently proudly presented on television. What the t.v. didn’t point out was that there is no left turn out of Halhul at this point – in fact there is even a barrier to prevent it – so that in order to drive north, drivers in Halhul have to first go south all the way to Nabi Yunis (some 2 km?) and then turn. This for a town of thousands. Meanwhile, the nearby settlement of Karme Zur, with its population of a few hundred, has turnings towards both north and south! (Photographs of these two junctions will follow separately.)
8:45 AM, Sair: here the road which leads to Wadi Nar and on, is closed. A notice says it is closed for roadwork until May. We were told that this is in preparation for building yet another ‘Arab only’ road, so that Palestinians will ultimately use that instead of the 60 up to Etzion. Meanwhile, the locals do drive up to the Ephrat junction and turn there to reach Wadi Nar.
9:00 AM, Nabi Yunis: Here we met with clients as prearranged. One needed to have his traffic fine paid and cancelled so as to process his application for an American visa. In addition, extra clients arrived, on the system of ‘a friend brings a friend.’ Many need advice on how to get information even about the reason for cancellation of their permits.
10.00 AM, Back to Beit Ummar: because we got a phone-call on the way, to help someone who has been out of work for a couple of years now because the police had cancelled his permit. As there was a police officer on duty at Etzion, we arranged for him to get there right away (the police were supposed to be there until 12.00, but one never knows..) to get information so as to be able to appeal.
Beit Ummar
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Beit Ummar
The Gush Etzion-Hebron road - which is the main axis of the southern Hebron Mountains - passes through the boundaries of the village. Many incidents of stone throwing occurred on this section of road. There is a checkpoint at the entrance to the village.
In March 2006, a 25-dunam land seizure order was issued around the settlement for the purpose of establishing a "special security area" (SHBM) and a warning fence around the nearby settlement, Carmei Tzur. In April 2019, 401 dunams of the land of the villages of Beit Omer and Halhul were expropriated for the purpose of paving a road that bypasses the house of Omer to the east. Demonstrations are held by the villagers against the seizure of land with the participation of Palestinian, Israeli and international activists.
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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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Sa'ir
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A relatively affluent suburb of Palestinian Hebron. West of Highway 60 leading from Bethlehem to Hebron. The entrance to Highway 60 and to Shuyukh and Beit Einun to the east is open, but is subject to changes - concrete blocks denying passage are stationed according to the needs of the army.
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