Bethlehem (300), Tue 10.9.13, Morning
Naomi Gal Translation
We arrived at 6:45. Three windows are open. So far about 4,000 people had passed. Everything around us is relaxed. There is a constant flow of people.
Without paying attention we discover that one window has closed and in one of the two windows operating one of the soldiers left the computer, came out of her cubicle and checked the passing people just by glancing at their permits. This kind of checking accelerates the passage considerably.
According to information we received from one of the security guards, I am not sure it’s accurate, but he said that the number of people passing throughout the day is around 10,000. If this is true then it appears that new and different policies are being implemented. What does it implies?
Greetings for Yom Kippur and May each one of us treat this day at will.
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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