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Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Mon 14.1.08, Afternoon

Observers: Ruth O. and Ilana D. (reporting)
Jan-14-2008
| Afternoon

El Arub, Nebi Yunes, Etzion DCL, Alon Shvut expansion and Rachel Terminal.

 

 

From 11:45 till 3:15 PM

 

 

We hurried to El Arub to catch the children on their way home from school and found out that they are on vacation fro three weeks as of Saturday. We talked to some men at the store and after consulting with Haya told the first whose fine had gotten wet and had lapsed seven months ago, that he can now get a 'renewed' one from Maher. The second, a client of Sylvia, after we consulted her, was told that he can try to apply for a magnetic card again if he can produce a prospective employer.


We continued to Nebi Yunes and missed the big red sign which does not allow entry of Israelis on the concrete slab at the entrance to the road and therefore continued in search of it for quite a distance before turning back and finding it smack on the corner. It is new apparently and later we saw an identical one (also mounted on another concrete slab) on top of the road leading to the Nashash entrance to El Khadr. A man told us that his brother, who had studied medicine abroad and had been promised a job at Augusta Victoria, was told by the Security Services that in order to obtain a magnetic card he would have to work for them. He told us that Sylvia got him out of this pickle and stressed again and again that we are doing a fabulous job.


We saw a number of cars and five men waiting at the Etzion DCL. They were all sumoned by the Security Services and had been waiting in the extreme cold since early in the morning – quite desperate they were discouraged to hear that we were unable to interfere on their behalf. 
 

We proceeded to inspect the caravan neighborhood of Alon Shvut and saw that next to it more permanent housing is already being constructed – a good view of the new red-tiled roofs on the caravan site South of Efrata can be had from there. We exited towards Rosh Tzurim; from the entrance we observed the vast spaces of an immense Beitar Illit.


Quite a number of yellow cabs were parked at the Eastern entrance of Hussan and we wondered at the lack of any merchants. The earthmoving has slowed down and we overlooked the vast gaping abyss, which will constitute the road for Palestinians.


At CP 300 we didn't expect any people at 2:30 PM in the afternoon, but on the contrary there was a big crowd both in the direction of Bethlehem and into Jerusalem. Only two windows were open. The civilian security guard greeted us politely and when we asked why no more windows were opened, he claimed he had no say in the matter and that we should ask the girl soldier. Until we found the number of Ronnie, the Commander, she had already requested assistance, but also told us to move back, so that we could not see what she was doing. Two more windows were opened and the queues diminished dramatically. When we turned to leave the security guard told one of the soldiers that 'they are gone, you can close up' which immediately caused more crowding we returned and waited until there was no longer anyone in line. On our way out an American told us not to leave the place, but to stay put until the end of the day.

 

  • 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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