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Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Mon 12.1.09, Afternoon

Place: Bethlehem (300) Etzion DCO
Tags: Detainees
Observers: Yael S., Shlomit S. (reporting)
Jan-12-2009
| Afternoon

12:30 PM, Etzion DCL:  few people were sitting in the waiting room. They said that a large number of people is inside and they waited for their turn. The female soldier who is on duty today is known to us as efficient and helpful.

We met a youngster who since 15 years is prevented (from getting a permit) by the secret service. He has been summoned no end of times to appear before the secret service and these meetings end with questions about his telephone number and/or the delivery of a new summons. Also today he left already with a new summons for Thursday – in another three days. Why? For no reason. Apparently we will never know the answer; and the expense and the waste of time does not affect certain nameless people who hide behind the rank “captain”.
A young man, a Christian, who lives in the USA wanted to pray in a church in Jerusalem and to our surprise received an entry-permit to pray there.

We left after about an hour.    

  • 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   .

  • Etzion DCO

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    •   serves residents of Bethlehem and surrounding villages who need magnetic cards, work permits for Israel, permits for one-time entry for religious or health reasons, various police permits, etc.
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