Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Mon 14.1.08, Morning
Route 60, Beit Anun and Ezyon DCL
07:30 Hussan –Taking care of paperwork for 3 people.
07:45 Nashash – Everything is quiet. One man comes to pick up papers belonging to him.
08:00 Beit Omar – The usual stuff. A number of people with the usual police problems.
On our way back there is a big traffic jam. The police are directing traffic. According the policeman there is ice on the road. We thought to ourselves – bless them.
08:30 Beit Anun – The usual. A jeep is parked at the side of the road. We turned around and left.
09:00 Nebi Yunes – there is a large sign on tall concrete block. A new sign, white and red – “you are now entering the Palestinian Authority. No Israelis allowed!” we parked behind the sign and answered all the usual questions.
On our way back there is a still a big traffic jam.
10:00 Ezyon DCL – there are quite a few cars in the parking lot, but not too many people waiting, summoned by the GSS. On our way out we are stopped by a couple – the woman has been living in the US for the past 15 years. She has come for a two week visit to see her father who is dying of cancer at the Al-Mukasad hospital on Mount Scopus. She has been sent back and forth and today she was told that she was GSS restricted. We hope she succeeds. We refer her to Hanna, perhaps she will manage to help her.
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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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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