Bethlehem (300), Etzion DCL, Tue 15.1.13, Afternoon
Hospital pemits
14.50, Etzion DCL
as soon as we arrived in the very quiet parking lot, a woman approached us. She had just received a permit to go to a Jerusalem hospital for treatment tomorrow. She said that she has a heart problem for which she needs regular treatment. Each time she is allowed the permit only on the day preceding her treatment. She finds it very tiring to have to go through procedures two successive days and would so like to be able to get the permit at least two days in advance so that she could rest in between. Apparently this is ‘against the rules.’
Interestingly, she said that she prefers coming to the Etzion DCL, rather than the Palestinian one as she gets better treatment there. Some people of the PA staff are “abusive.” [her words]
Another woman was in a similar predicament. She has to take her baby to Mokassed hospital on Thursday morning but was told to come again tomorrow (Wednesday) for the permit. However, when we phoned, a responsible-sounding soldier told her to go in again and he would check. She later left in a car without reporting back to us – we only hope this is a sign of success.
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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