Bethlehem CP (Israeli side) - 1st Friday of Ramadan
As usual throughout the Ramadan month, no approach to the checkpoint in one’s vehicle is possible. I parked on the way there. There was a long line of buses waiting to deliver people to pray at the Al Aqsa Mosque.
Many soldiers, especially Border Policemen, ask me what I am doing here and know nothing about MachsomWatch. They are ordered around from one site to the other from their ‘assembly areas’ where I am not allowed to stand.
A thin stream of Palestinians of all types and ages cross and hurry to take their places on the bus.
On this side of the checkpoint, things are quiet. There are quite a few children. Only the wind raises a sand storm.
I was sent away from every position I took, from my spot at the checkpoint building, and then from the yard from which the Palestinians exit and from the track demarcated by fences. I stood next to the buses and spoke with people. A child was there with his mother from Bethlehem, very excited to go pray at Al Aqsa.
Three boys were interested in my ID tag which notes our resistance to the occupation and concern for human rights. I explained a bit. One of them says to me with a big smile: “We shall fight and gain our freedom”.
– Violence does not help.
– Sure it does!
– Everyone suffers and loses…
I realize that at his age, in his stead I would probably have spoken like him.
– Are you from Bethlehem?
– No, from Silwan.
– Oh, there’s a real mess there.
– Yes, one big mess…
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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