Back to reports search page

Bethlehem (300), Etzion DCL, Sun 6.10.13, Morning

Observers: Sylvia P. Hannah A. Gony Z. Ronit D. (Reporting), Naomi Gal translating
Oct-06-2013
| Morning

Bethlehem Checkpoint 
6:50 – We arrive at the Israeli side of the checkpoint. It’s quite full inside the waiting hall, but five windows are operating and the passage flows. 
7:00 – the pressure in the hall subsided. Everything flows. 
7:10 – Y. the kidney-transplanted boy arrives with his mother who says he is feeling well. 
7:15 – One of the men is detained and his permit taken. He is required to wait. Hannah gives him phone numbers so that we can help him later on to remove the prevention that was probably imposed on him, but after a few minutes the permit is returned to him and the man says goodbye and crosses over. 
7:25 – fairly empty. Some of the windows are closed. A man turns to us and gives us documents for his son, who needs help with removing prevention. 
7:30 – only one window is left open, so a line forms, but passage flows smoothly with no hitch or delays. We leave. We meet Sylvia at the parking-lot and continue to Etzion DCO. 
A stop on the way to meet with Jamila and purchase some of the excellent oil and olives she prepares.

8:10 – Etzion DCL people are already waiting. Some have scheduled ahead of time with Sylvia and are waiting for us. As usual we fill for them the forms for prevention removal and they go inside to deliver the applications. They also sign powers of attorney for Sylvia who later makes sure that the applications are indeed being transferred and taken care of and later on follows the outcomes. Today there aren’t many people. The applications were not taken from some of them and we are still trying to find out the cause.

9:30 – we left.

  • 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   .
  • Etzion DCO

    See all reports for this place
    •   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.
Donate