Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Mon 28.1.08, Morning
Rachel checkpoint, EL Nashnash, Nabi Unis, Ezyon DCL
Rachel Checkpoint: There were five active posts. The lines were very long but everything was going fine and without any delays. One of the ecumenical accompaniers told us that they had been there since before five o'clock and that the passage had opened exactly at five AM. Since only one post was open they called the Humanitarian Center and soon afterwards another post was opened.
El Nashnash: We had set to meet a Palestinian who needed some help regarding some police problems.
Nabi Unis: We meet two other people with whom we had arranged to meet, again regarding police problems.
DCL Ezyon: The soldiers who let people enter through the revolving door told those entering that they had to wait two to three minutes, but their waiting lasted about half an hour (by then we had left), and the soldier said that the officer hadn't arrived yet, "What can I do". We once again saw a notice dealing with land confiscation by Bat Yain, this time land was taken for use as as an observation point. I let Hagit Afran know, but she had already been there a couple of days before and had already started to take care of it.
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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