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Bethlehem (300) - Just a few days before Ramadan starts, no signs of preparations for passage of worshipers

Place: Bethlehem (300)
Tags: Ramadan Settlers
Observers: Hanna Barag
Feb-13-2026
| Afternoon

As I do every Friday, I drove with two Palestinian friends to the checkpoint on their way home.
Construction work on Hebron Road continues right up until the start of Shabbat. Gush Etzion settlers are driving like madmen because Sabbath is about to begin shortly. The road leading from the traffic light toward the checkpoint has been renovated – a “miracle”. The vehicle crossing checkpoint is locked and closed. The official reason: “roof repairs.” Those coming from or returning to Bethlehem are forced to drive “around the moon” via the Tunnels Checkpoint. There, of course, the lines stretch on forever.
Gush Etzion settlers are cursing their “bitter fate.” When I passed through there a few days ago, a man in a car next to mine in the long queue explained that “this terrible government, which claims to be right-wing and pro-settlement, only harasses them and fails to protect them from Palestinian rioters and leftist traitors.” This was said unprompted, without any provocation on my part.
The pedestrian crossing was closed in the afternoon, and only five laborers crossed into Bethlehem. Where were all the other “happy” workers with permits?
It is very worrying that just days before Ramadan, there are no signs of preparations for the mass passage of people for Friday prayers. Only two chemical toilets have been set up – in my opinion, these are intended for the laborers paving a new access road to Rachel’s Tomb.

Rumor has it that only Muslim Israeli citizens over the age of 55 will be allowed entry for prayer.
I haven’t been able to obtain information regarding age restrictions for Palestinians yet. It may be published in the coming days.
Could the crossing be moved to a different checkpoint this year? It is very concerning.

 

 

Location Description

  • 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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