Back to reports search page

Bethlehem (300)

Place: Bethlehem (300)
Observers: Rahel Margalit
Nov-26-2013
| Morning

 

 

Bethlehem

 

As we approach the CP there is a river of men coming out of the exit.  Indeed, the door is open and the men pass through after showing their permits to the soldier standing there.  Four checking stations also are open and functioning.  Suddenly there is a slow down and apparently one man has taken the interest of the soldier checking.  He is wearing an Israeli military jacket.  After a few minutes this man is asked to

stand and wait in the entrance hall.  After five minutes the head of the CP (a policeman who is very friendly to us) comes out, speaks to him a few moments and the man is free to leave.  The head of the CP tells us that he asked him where he got the jacket.  The answer was "from a garbage container" and so nothing more was done about it.

5,750 people passed this morning.

  • 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   .
Donate