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Bethlehem (300)

Place: Bethlehem (300)
Tags: Identification Cards (ID) Transfer Permits to Israel
Observers: Clair Oren, Translation: Naomi Gal
Jun-12-2015
| Morning

 

Bethlehem

09:00 to 10:45

Three windows are open. I thought there would be just a few people today, because of preparations for Ramadan and the anticipation to pass at least two or three times during the Ramadan, but actually there were many Palestinians. The Ecumenical volunteer reported that it took her half an hour to pass from Bethlehem to Jerusalem. She also said that there are serious preparations on Bethlehem’s side for the passing of masses during Ramadan – they are creating paths to the checkpoint.

Most of the time people passed without a problem.

One man was detained and his identity card was taken away. He told me that he was involved in an incident in which Baruch Marzel (an infamous settler) hit him. As a result he became prevented and now, the soldier at the checkpoint refuses to give him back his ID. I approached the senior police officer at the checkpoint and he made ​​sure that the ID card was returned to the man after he had waited, he says, more than an hour. Of course he had to go back home. He dared rub against Marzel’s fists, how could he pass freely to Jerusalem?!

  • 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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