Bethlehem (300), Etzion DCL
0900-1100
We went to see if there is Holiday traffic (Ramadan) at the checkpoint. While we were there only about 50 people passed, most of them to work. We did not meet people passing for customary family celebrations during Ramadan and it felt very sad.
10:00 Etzion DCO: the place is empty. Two boys were summoned by GSS (last night at 1:30 am GSS messengers arrived at their home to summon them to DCO. Very urgent during the holidays!). They sat at DCO and waited and waited. Although we tried our best and called different people, we felt that they would still be waiting for a very long time.
One guy, who is married to a woman with an Israeli ID card, showed us a letter from an attorney from Karni Shomron settlement, that made clear that his security prevention was removed and he can enter Israel, but he must first of all report for a hearing at GSS. We read the letter time and again until we realized, "Where's the rub." We called on his behalf and were able to help him. We expressed to him our surprise as to why he did not call a lawyer – but we didn’t wait for his answer. He claimed that we already helped him in the past, "I met you here", he said, but apparently he met Silvia.
What would have happened to him had we not been there by chance?
Bethlehem (300)
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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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Etzion DCO
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serves residents of Bethlehem and surrounding villages who need magnetic cards, work permits for Israel, permits for one-time entry for religious or health reasons, various police permits, etc.
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