Bethlehem (300)
Bethlehem
06:30 – as usual, outside there are many people and cars. It is wet, but not raining right now. Inside there are 6 open windows; it is relatively busy, but organized. Even from the Palestinian side no cries are heard, only occasional instructions on the loudspeakers "stop streaming", "resume streaming". The security guard demands that people who were rejected return to Bethlehem, and sometimes passes the window to make sure they indeed go back.
A. passes and says that today is relatively reasonable; probably the rain has a positive effect on everyone, it calms things down.
07:15 – the pressure is over and they begin to close windows down. We are already on our way out and Sylvia is busy on the phone for a man who needs help. He is police restricted (prevented from entering Israel). He petitioned to the court and reached a settlement under which he received an (entry) permit despite the restriction. But every issuing or renewal of permit involves a new struggle with the occupation bureaucracy, sending letters and a copy of the verdict, phone calls, etc. Even when there is a permit, he is often detained at the checkpoint, as he is today. The permit was taken from him and he calls Sylvia who tries to solve the problem over the phone with headquarters and the relevant DCL.
Goni, Sylvia and the guest continued to Etzion DCL.
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 .
-