Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Mon 22.6.09, Afternoon
14.00 PM, Etzion DCL: the soldier is at the window, but the announcement system is appallingly loud! It shouts and screams, assaults one’s eardrums non-stop. Two people, who arrived after 12.00 are waiting for the GSS, and one more is waiting for someone who is being interrogated. Five people arrive, three for magnetic cards, and two for the police. But there is no policeman there .
Shlomit phones to Maher, but there is no answer (“your call is being transferred to the answering service”). She then tried the office of the Iosh police-station, and a clerk answers. Then, what a miracle, a policeman appears who ”has been in an officers’ meeting since about 14.00” ! A young man who has been in a GSS interrogation comes out ; “ This is my first time” he says. “they photograph you when you enter”, the other two who are waiting tell him. After another three-quarters of an hour we leave and go to Beit Ummar, where the family has grown, and life is continuing with the normal difficulties.
16.30 PM, Bethlehem – Rachel’s Crossing: we do not enter because there are no people queuing outside, so we make a U-turn and return to Jerusalem.
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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