Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Mon 19.11.07, Morning
Route 60, Beit Anun, Ezyon DCL
07:45 Nashash
The traffic is flowing. Few Palestinians waited for us with paper work issues.
08:00 Beit-Omer
Here to, only a few people ask for our help
08:30 Beit-Anun
Groups cross the busy street. A lot of traffic is apparent. Scary.
09:00 Nebi-Yunas
The place turned in to a busy intersection. Numerous cars, taxis, trucks etc. few people approach us for help with licenses that have not been returned to them.
10:00 Ezyon DCL
Idit has been here for an hour, and it seems the DCL is not functioning. A few people are waiting and nothing is happening. There is construction work going on. A new big sign states the opening hours and phone numbers of the DCL. No one is currently answering the phones, we called Dani and he confirmed that the phones will be disconnected for the following two weeks due to the construction work. We strongly suggested a notice about this be put up, and we were promised it would be taken care of. Another problem we found was that Maher, the only policeman who can issue permits, does not have regular working days. According to Dani, it cannot be coordinated when Maher will be in his office and when Fares, the other policeman who does not issue permits, will be there. So the people needing to see him will just have to depend on their luck when they arrive, or return another time.
Even when the phones are connected it is hard to get through since they are not regularly manned. We suggested there be a regular time for answering the phones, and Dani said that is impossible. The Sunday hours of activity, written on the sign, are inaccurate. According to Dani, the police officer works on Sunday from 11:00 am. From our experience, often noon is more realistic.
Many people are called in for GSS questioning. Few are waiting for magnetic cards. some people have been waiting for over two hours, and so called the offices again, and then they were all let in. The place was simply not operating and the soldier at the window was exceptionally rude.
It is harder to receive permits to get to Hadassah hospital in Jerusalem. To get a permit one must submit a request from the Palestinian authority and bring a special detailed medical letter, explaining why the procedure needs to be done in Hadasa hospital. Chronically sick people, who have been waiting for some time for permits, need to go through this process every over and over again. And if someone has been to Hadassah, for treatment or for an operation, it is not clear whether they will be able to obtain a new permit. These new restrictions and stringent regulations is not very beneficial for ones health.
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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