Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Mon 28.12.09, Afternoon
14:00 PM, Etzion DCL: the hall was empty. Outside, one man waiting, summoned by Shabak, but no one talking to him ortaking him inside. The duty officer is not at his place by the window, and allhis attempts to call him did not help. We also called, but no one answered. Wephoned Danny and he, apparently, ordered the man back to his post. He appearedin the window, called the man, took his ID, told him to wait – and vanished.More people arrived, and again there was no one to receive them. An elderlywoman, came to receive an entry permit for Jerusalem for her sick daughter, stood a longwhile by the gate. Again we called Danny who returned the duty officer to hiswindow and himself spoke to the anxious mother. He checked the documents thatshe had brought and dealt with her problem. It’s good that there are peoplelike him.
16:00 PM, Bethlehem – Checkpoint 300: hundreds of workers returning from work, crowded in the passage from theroad to the entrance. Entry was blocked by a number of security men and apolice officer. They from time to time let a few in. Inside only three stationswere open and transit was very slow. The tired and excited mass waitedimpatiently. We asked the police officer why they don’t open more stations. Heshouted that we are interfering with him, and ordered us to stand where hewanted us. Shortly thereafter, two more stations were opened, but it was toolittle too late. The crowd was making threatening noises. Somebody decided toopen a gate of one of the stations and scores of men poured in – a frighteningtorrent – and passed through with no check. Shlomit photographed the assault.The police officer, Hagi Cohen, argued that she had filmed him and demandedthat the photo be erased. She refused. He ordered us inside with him. There weshowed him the letter from the Army Spokesman permitting us to photograph. Helooked at it suspiciously and copied it. After checking our IDs and writing areport about our behaviour, and after Shlomit agreed to erase his photo, he letus go home.
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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