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Bethlehem (300)

Place: Bethlehem (300)
Observers: Claire Oren; Translating: Naomi Gal
Oct-17-2014
| Morning

Bethlehem Checkpoint

9:15-11:00

 

At the beginning of the shift only one window is open, a bored soldier allows Palestinians to pass judging by their look: are they old enough or not. People pass and are slightly surprised that there is no interest in the permits they present.

 

A young couple arrives with two little girls in their Sunday dresses. They have a hospital permit but the soldier explains to them that on a regular day they could have passed but there is a curfew today. They are confused and ask if they could pass anyway because they have to get to the hospital. They again get the same response.

It turns out that there is a curfew except for older people. It is unclear from what age. Quite a few people passed. When the soldiers changed at the window they were stricter with checking permits and sometimes just verifying the age. Later they even opened a second window.  

An Ecumenical volunteer arrived and reported that all is quiet on the Palestinian side. 

  • 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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