Bethlehem (300), Etzion DCL, Thu 7.2.13, Afternoon
Translator: Charles K.
14:10
A notice posted on the waiting room door announced that on Thursday services to the public close at noon. Not long ago it was announced that on Thursday they close at 13:30. People who hadn’t known about the change arrived while we were there. They weren’t admitted and will have to come again next Thursday. A woman who argued with the soldier was allowed to return Monday.
A woman from Beit Safafa who arrived with her five children told us she’s an Israeli citizen; her husband is a resident of the occupied territories. He had an Israeli residence permit. It was taken from him three years ago; he was told the Shabak had blacklisted him. He contacted an attorney who dealt with it and told him the blacklisting had been cancelled. The woman showed us a document from the Ministry of the Interior confirming that he’s permitted residency in Israel until the end of 2013. Based on that authorization, she requested a permit for him for one year. But the DCO refused because, according to the computer, the blacklisting is still in force. We called everyone we hoped might help but without success. She’ll again have to get an attorney.
Two young sisters approached us. They’d both received permits to enter Jerusalem during the coming Christian holiday. They’d requested permits for five more of their sisters but were denied. We tried to find out the reason for the refusal, but couldn’t. We were told that “the rules were bent for the first two.“ R., the officer, promised to take care of the matter; perhaps they’ll bend the rules a little more for the others.
We met a young man who said he has trouble supporting his family. It’s hard to find work in the occupied territories. When he does find something, he’s paid 70-75 shekels per day. He wants to work in Israel but has no entry permit because he’s blacklisted by the Shabak. He paid an attorney NIS 40,000, which he borrowed from family members and friends, to get the blacklisting canceled!
We left around closing time. More people arrived, but only those requesting permits “for humanitarian reasons” were admitted.
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.
-