Bethlehem (300), Tue 29.1.13, Morning
Bethlehem – Checkpoint 300, 6:45 am: five checking stations open, in each of them there were short lines. Then there are no people entering, afterwards a wave of people enter, but lines no longer than eight to ten people in each line.
By 7:10everyone has passed. When we entered, many were waiting under the plastic roof that stretches out at the exit because of the rain. A man, perhaps about the age of 70, was standing inside against the wall. A guard went to the door to tell those standing near the exit door to move. My partner told me she didn't like his tone in speaking to the men. The guard heard her and came to us to explain that it is against the rules for them to stand there at all, and he even let this old man wait inside the building. He was quite argumentative with her. But later when he had the same message for those waiting, he spoke pleasantly and said "b'vakasha" (please) each time.
One man's permit was not OK. He was directed to inquire and fix the problem at the Matak (office)..
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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