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Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Nabi Yunis, Tarqumiya, Tue 25.8.09, Afternoon

Place: Bethlehem (300) Etzion DCO Nabi Yunis Tarqumiya CP
Observers: Yael L. J. (reporter); Driver: Avital F.
Aug-25-2009
| Afternoon

General situation;

Ramadan

Meeting at 14:00 p.m

Checkpoint Bethlehem

Arrival 14:30 p.m. Two counters open. One soldier and two friendy civil guards (one did not know that we are Israelis, and wanted to see my ID (His colleague informed him) on duty in the hall. At the beginning 32 persons, (among them 5 tourists) were waiting. Soon they opened a third counter, which reduced the queue immediately. Soon the hall became empty and we left.

DCL Etzion

Arrival 15 p.m.

On the parking lot 4 Palestinian cars. Two men were talking, and waiting for somebody. Inside was waiting a father with a young son, who started to call the soldier in charge by her first name "Ayala"'

Then was arriving another (well dressed) group of 11 people, coming for a new ID. Soon all the waiting were let through the turnstile. I could not observe them any longer.

Nebi Yunis

Because of the Ramadan there was almost nobody in the shop and the shop owner was not in.

Tarqumiya

We were crossing this huge checkpoint where both of us never had been before, from both sides. We had not time enough to get an overlook, On the big parking lot I was asking a few drivers how long they were waiting. They answered "since the morning."

  • 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   .

  • 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.

  • Nabi Yunis

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    • Nabi Yunis

      A meeting place at the junction of Route 60 and the road leading to the eastern entrance to Hebron.

  • Tarqumiya CP

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    • The Tarqumiya Checkpoint is one of the largest and busiest checkpoints where people and goods cross into Israel. It is located on the Separation Barrier close to the Green Line, on Road 35 (connecting Beer Sheva and Hebron). It is run by the Israel Defense Ministry’s Crossings Administration with civilian secuirty companies running the day to day operations. The checkpoint  is indeed open to vehicles in both directions 24/7, but Palestinians are prevented from crossing in vehicles, except in  special cases. MachsomWatch activists visit the checkpoint as it opens at 3:45 am, in order to observe the daily  passage of nearly 10,000 Palestinian workers.  The workers arrive from throughout the Southern West Bank.  Our activists report on the tremendous overcrowding at this checkpoint; they have observed young men climbing and scrambling on the fences and roofs of the ‘access cages’.  This is how the work day begins for those who ‘build the land of Israel’. updated November 2019
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