Bethlehem (300), Etzion DCL, Sun 2.6.13, Morning
07:00 Bethlehem Checkpoint 300
There are many people outside. They all complain about the long and difficult passage. They claim there was a break in passing before 06:30. Inside the hall there are many men but the passage is swift, thanks to the security people who skim the documents.
We met one of the women of EAPPI who promised to send us the exact number of the people who passed this morning. When we asked about the delay today the security people said that they just had a lot of people.
EAPPI's response came after we returned to Jerusalem and it was: 4999 people passed between the hours of 04:00 to 07:30. It's really a very large number.
At 07:25 the hall was empty and people arrived one by one.
08:00 Etzion DCO
Quite a few people were waiting for us specifically and there were hardly any others since the DCO opens only at 12:00 on Sundays.
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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