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Bethlehem (300)

Place: Bethlehem (300)
Tags: Children
Observers: Clair Oren. Translation: Naomi gal
Jun-05-2015
| Morning

9:15 to 11:15

4 windows are open. Most of the time it is quite busy. Occasionally the commander of the checkpoint opens the gate between the first two windows and swiftly moves the elderly.

The Ecumenical volunteer and her teammates are leaving after being here for four months. She is preparing a report on this period for a British newspaper. A lot of kids are passing today. Occasionally, the children let their parents wait in line and they pass under the carousel. In one of these times the soldier came out of window 2, scolded the children (albeit without raising his voice, and even with the gentleness of a father, but usually a father doesn’t carry a weapon. The children did not show it, but it must have been quite frightening for them) and instructed them to go back to the queue.

4 people were rejected – 2 prevented 2 without a permit.

  • 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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