Bethlehem (300)
Bethlehem
09:00 to 10:45
Today too, as last Friday, many Palestinians are passing to Jerusalem. Most of the time 4 windows are open. Occasionally they close one of the windows and a long line is formed again. Then they open again and people are trying to get there as quickly as possible so they can be free. Thus a fight between two adult men who both claimed the same place in line took place. Hearing the shouts a security guard approached one of them and very firmly pushed him to the end of the line.
Everyone over the age of 60 pass with no need for a permit. Many girls came today with grandma, they all pass and at once a huge smile spreads of the faces of the young and adults.
A man turns to me and explains that his 65 years old father passed last week but this week he was turned back claiming he is “restricted”. He will probably turn to Sylvia.
A new ecumenical volunteer says that his colleague reported a terrible situation yesterday.
A 52-year-old man arrives with two friends. He lost or forgot a document, the soldiers he addresses say that only an officer can take the responsibility of letting him pass. Unfortunately, today there is no officer at the checkpoint. After some discussion, politely and with good humor on both sides, he had to return home.
Three large groups of tourists passed to Bethlehem.
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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