Bethlehem (300), Etzion DCL, Nabi Yunis, Mon 18.6.12, Morning
AT LAST! The underpass under Route 60, linking Husan and ElKhadr, has been paved so – at least – people and cars don’t have to struggle through potholes, dust or mud. [Presumably built by PA and with Israel’s “permission.”]
The posters calling for “Israeli sovereignty over all Yehuda and Shomron” that filled Route 60 last week have all but disappeared (maybe someone realized that sovereignty meant also caring for all the inhabitants). But there were a number of posters calling for prayer against the Ulpana evacuation. [Pictures sent separately.]
7.20 AM, Bethlehem: hurrying out, people complained that, on the Bethlehem side, only one gate was open, causing long lines.
8.00 AM, Etzion DCL: there seemed to be no one waiting but when the door opened at 8.15, suddenly 20 men appeared. They had been sheltering in the shade of a nearby tree. (The heat was intense.)
Chaya ascertained that there were police present at all the DCO’s. At 9.00 AM we heard from men who had arrived to see police at both Etzion and Hebron. By 9.15 AM the Etzion man was already out with the documents he needed. At 10.00 AM the Hebron man was still waiting to be received. Chaya was to keep in touch with him.
9.00 AM, Nabi Yunis: we went to five pre-arranged meetings for filling in power of attorney forms, payment of traffic fine instalments.
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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Nabi Yunis
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Nabi YunisA meeting place at the junction of Route 60 and the road leading to the eastern entrance to Hebron.
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