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Bethlehem (300), Fri 2.11.12, Morning

Place: Bethlehem (300)
Observers: Efrat B., Claire Oren
Nov-02-2012
| Morning

 

 

In the beginning of the shift only two positions were open and there was a long queue of Palestinians. In about 15 minutes they opened another three positions. During our shift no one were sent back. A few children came along and all of them crossed the checkpoint.

Once in a while a very loud call came from the Bethlehem side of the checkpoint: "Stream people in all the three sleeves". That's the way it is here, they "stream" people. At 10:00 only three positions remained active but there was no queue.

Several Swedish volunteers passed and showed interest in us, we gave them some materials in English. 

  • 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   .
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