Bethlehem (300)
Two inspection stations are open, and it’s quiet. Relatively few people are passing through the checkpoint, although a queue forms from time to time. A man arrives from Hebron with a referral to the Hadassa hospital, and after a thorough examination is allowed to pass.
Quite a few children pass-through.
A pair of parents arrive with a small child who is due to have an operation in the hospital. The parents are worried whether they will succeed to return before the checkpoint is closed.
At the beginning of the shift a young woman, who is a volunteer from the EAPPI –The Ecumenical Accompaniment Program in Palestine and Israel, stands near the entry gate.
A seventy-year old woman arrives. It appears that the entry permit that she shows isn’t hers; the name is not hers nor is the birth-date. She claims that it’s her photograph, but the policeman disagrees. She is not allowed to pass but stands there for close to thirty minutes. She claims that she was given the permit but she didn’t read it or check it. Eventually, she realizes that she won’t be able to pass and returns home.
Most of the time there are two policemen and two security guards there. They behave politely towards the Palestinians
minutes. She claims that she was given the permit but she didn’t read it or check it. Eventually, she realizes that she won’t be able to pass and returns home.
Most of the time there are two policemen and two security guards thereread it or check it. Eventually, she realizes that she won’t be able to pass and returns home.
Most of the time there are two policemen and two security guards there. They behave politely towards the Palestinians
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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