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Beit Ummar, Bethlehem, Mon 31.8.09, Afternoon

Place: Beit Ummar Bethlehem (300)
Observers: Shlomit S., Ora A. and Yael S. (reporting)
Aug-31-2009
| Afternoon

We arrived at the DCO after 14:00.

All those waiting their turn were seated. Almost all were Christian.

When we arrived we saw relatively few people – less than twenty.

The soldier at the counter and the newly mended loudspeaker system enabled communications. He said there are many people inside but that he will soon allow more in.

There are no numbers, either in or outside.

By the by suddenly at three thirty there were maybe forty people in the lower waiting room, and more arrived at four after work.

We met a road accident survivor who lost half of her lower half – pretty shocking. The guilty driver is Palestinian, but it happened under Israeli rule, so she is insured and treated in Israel – in Alin and Haddasah. She was accompanied by her mother and brother to hurry things up. She is fluent in English and understands Hebrew. Her pass will expire tomorrow so they're here today to renew it. The DCO confirmed so there's no need to go to Beit El – they're not prohibited.

On the notice board there are confiscation orders or extensions of seizure. The Hebrew is visible, the Arabic hidden at the back. Why?

It is also unclear when they were put up, but the date they carry is July.

Rawi came out at about four thirty and said they can take six more as they're closing at five, and promised also to handle the above mentioned medical certification. He saw and recognized the family. He said that today they gave out 130 magnetic cards and the woman soldier who let in the last six quoted the number of 140 cards. And that with the computers having broken down for two hours between eleven and one.

Near closing time, at about five, some more people arrived after they finished work. They're unwilling to give up a day's work. They say they cannot afford to. Since many people were turned back after the six happy ones were chosen (who indeed came out with their magnetic cards) there seemed no point in trying to persuade them to take any more.

Everyone is wasting time and working days – there's no special reason to help someone only because he has put on a suit.

We went to Beit Omar, where the army was operating in the middle of the night and even detained people who innocently went out after the Ramadan dinner.

We were told that thirty people were taken away for questioning.

  • 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.

  • 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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