Bethlehem (300)
9:10 – 11:00
Today, as well, by far less people, relatively, less than a week ago, but still quite a few are standing in line. The age limit today is 55 for men, 50 for women. Some progress…Would we get by next week to really young people? There are technical problems today too, but less than last week. Around 10.00 they open two more windows (I think 8-7). If they’d opened 4 windows since morning people would probably not wait that long, but they have man-power problems…
Many children frequented the checkpoint today. One of them looked at the long queue and then saw the empty window serving those who enter Bethlehem, swiftly he bent and passed. Intoxicated by his victory, smiling from ear to ear, he looked at the docile adults that provide documents and press their fingers, waiting for the soldier’s approval, and run happily out. Five boys followed him, once they realized that neither the security guard nor the soldier in the window yelled at them. They were really young kids but we already witnessed a five-year-old Palestinian child, or even babies having to present a deed. And we know that Palestinian children 15 years old (and even 13) are imprisoned in Israeli jails.
An Ecumenical volunteer was present till 10:00
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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