Bethlehem (300)
2 windows are open. Many people are passing. More than there are on other Fridays.
2 rooky women soldiers. They are curious about me, they don’t know MahsomWatch.
A brief explanation and then one of the soldiers says: And then you pass your report to the leftist media.
I begin explaining that most of the Israeli media is a far cry from being leftist and the other soldier chips in and continues: Yes, she is right, I studied communication and the Israeli media is not at all leftist.
They went on to explain why some of the Palestinians are prevented…
With the first soldier I had another brief conversation about the meaning of the word “occupation”.
Quite a long line was formed of people waiting for checking but they all passed relatively fast.
For the first time in quite a while an Ecumenical volunteer was present.
Bethlehem (300)
See all reports for this place-
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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