Bethlehem (300)
8:45 to 10:15
Many people are passing. Most of the time 2 windows are open. One of the windows was closed for a while and a long line was formed. Even when another window was again opened people had to wait long minutes in front of the checking window. There were no short cuts or concessions, all had to press their finger, they did not open a gate for the elderly or women as they sometimes do. No senior officer came out to the checkpoint area.
It was crowded but quiet on the Jerusalem side of the checkpoint. From the Palestinian side of the checkpoint every now and then came cries of protest and pushing one can presume that they were regulating the passage from there.
A quite young man (35?) arrived and handed his magnetic card with the confidence of someone who is used to doing so, but the woman-soldier signaled to him that he must go back. Very surprised he asked "Why, what happened?" he took out his permit and was about to attach it to the window’s glass, but the soldier told him it was useless and that he is prevented. He stood several seconds in disbelief and finally stepped aside so as not to delay those waiting behind him.
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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