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Bethlehem (300)

Place: Bethlehem (300)
Observers: Yehudit Elkana and Hannah B”rg (reporting). A Guest photographer is accompanying us. Translation: Naomi Gal
Jun-26-2015
| Morning

Second Friday of Ramadan

 

Crowds of people are passing extremely fast from here to the Israeli side of Bethlehem. The checking is done randomly. The worshipers who were not allowed to pass are disgruntled and try to argue – to no avail. The changes that were made in the lane from the checkpoint exit to the buses have improved the situation, compared to previous years, and the lane is much more logical and convenient. The bottleneck is created when people board the buses, where there were some very unpleasant moments. We were told that the fare is 18 Shekels per person each way. It's not cheap.

The behavior of the soldiers (especially the Border Police) was reasonable, but less pleasant than the behavior we reported two years ago. More raised voices, pushing and shoving and sometimes even rudeness. The soldiers, who spoke among themselves, made occasional comments on the brink of racism.

Like reports written in the past – during the other 11 months of the year the Palestinians are dangerous and the danger evaporates during Ramadan? No use talking about freedom of worship, of course, freedom of worship means to pray always – every day of the year.

  • 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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