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Bethlehem (300), Fri 22.3.13, Morning

Place: Bethlehem (300)
Tags: Blockage of Life
Observers: Efrat B., Clair Oren (reporting)
Mar-22-2013
| Morning

Naomi Gal (translating)

 

[On the way to] Bethlehem – Checkpoint 300, the Old City: since Obama's visit to Bethlehem was intended for noon we thought it might be possible to approach the checkpoint. Already at the intersection there were many policemen, Border Guards, and a blockade.

I parked close to the monastery and walked up to the checkpoint. Just a few meters before the entrance to the checkpoint astonished policemen stopped me and could not comprehend how I got this far, how come I wasn’t stopped at the intersection.

They said there is no one at the checkpoint at this time, and that it has been closed since morning to Palestinians and to everyone else.  The checkpoint will be opened in the afternoon, at 16:00.

Back to the intersection – a lot of cars, apparently belonging to the American delegation, many policemen.

Driving to Damascus Gate – all the way many policemen and within the Old City multitude of Border Guards.

 

  • 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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