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Bethlehem (300)

Place: Bethlehem (300)
Tags: Crowding
Observers: Clair Oren, Translation: Naomi Gal
Apr-17-2015
| Morning
Bethlehem      

09:30 to 11:00

Most of the time only two windows are open and occasionally quite a long line is formed. For a short while they opened another window. Twice the senior commander arrived and passed women through the gate between the two windows.

Two elderly women were turned back. They arrived without permits and according to the commander they do so repeatedly.

The security guard knew nothing about Machsomwatch but was interested.

Two Ecumenical volunteers came from the Palestinian side of the checkpoint and said that in the morning the passage was much faster than it is now.

The commander claims that the situation has improved considerably lately and that they are opening more sleeve/tracks and more windows during peak hours.

 

  • 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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