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Beitar Illit CP, Bethlehem (300), Etzion DCL, Sun 11.3.12, Afternoon

Place: Beitar Illit Bethlehem (300) Etzion DCO
Observers: Nava D., Daniela G. (reporting)
Mar-11-2012
| Afternoon

 ‪Etzion DCL, 15:30: empty. The soldier girl behind the window says there are a few people inside the office. A man comes out, saying it took him about an hour to obtain a permit on humanitarian grounds. His mother is undergoing an operation in Jerusalem. All he got was 2 days so he will probably have to come again. We wish his mother health and leave.‬

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‪Betar Ilit, 16:00: what once used to be a small booth has become a "terminal" with separate lanes, with a new grey building where inspection takes place as in other terminals, but the sign warning Israelis not to take across Palestinians in their cars, remains. We cross the checkpoint in both directions and count 9 soldiers on duty, though they seem to be doing little.

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Bethlehem – Checkpoint 300, 16:20: many people rushing home. It takes them less than 30 seconds to get to the other side.‬ 

  • Beitar Illit

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    • Beitar Illit Checkpoint The checkpoint is located on road 375 (almost) on the Green Line, between Husan and Mevo Beitar and Tzur Hadassah. It serves people with Israeli identity cards travelling from Jerusalem to the Zur Hadassah area. Palestinian passage is prohibited, except for those who have an entry permit on their way back from Israel to Bethlehem. Staffed by the military and active 24 hours a day.  

  • 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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