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Bethlehem (300)

Place: Bethlehem (300)
Observers: Clair Oren. Translation: Naomi Gal
Sep-04-2015
| Morning

Bethlehem 

 

Two  or three  open windows, no lines, and a relatively quick passage.

Disappointment for a number of Palestinians who had hoped to pass but did not reach the appropriate age (meaning the new regulation that from age 54 onward, there is no need for a permit and one can pass with just an ID card)  Among them a  man who was sure since he is 50 he will pass without a hitch, and a woman who said she is about to turn 50 years old and a Palestinian who was standing next to her helped her calculate her age while reviewing her ID and it turned out that she was actually only 49 years old …

An old woman completely bent over arrived. An army officer who was standing at the checkpoint at that moment talking with the security guard said: "I can’t watch this” and opened the gate between the two windows for the woman. The old woman kissed her hands.

Several families passed with many young festive children.

 

 

  • 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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