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Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Nuaman, Tue 8.12.09, Afternoon

Place: Bethlehem (300) Etzion DCO Nu'man (Mazmuria)
Observers: Yael L.-J. (reporting), Avital F. (driving)
Dec-08-2009
| Afternoon

2:30 till 4:30 PM

General remark: winter weather with fog and rain. Chrismasis coming closer. Christians are applying for new magnetiic cards and permits inorder to visit family in Israel.

3:00 PM, Etzion DCL:  on the parking lot a bus, 6 private carswith Palestinian numbers. All the cars and the waiting hall are empty. The roomwas heated and the entrance door stood wide open.  The soldier behind the turnstile was wawinghis hand to me.

All the people who came with all the cars seemed to behidden somewhere,  where at least noobserver could observe.

After we had waited some time an older gentleman was comingin. He was a Medical Doctor and got sent to the Shabak promptly. A monk orpriest was entering the hall. He was immediately let behind the turnstile.

Maz Moriah – Nuaman:  on our way to the checkpoint Bethlehem we were crossing the checkpoint MazMoriah. For the first time we had to wait. Two cars in front of us were checkedthoroughly.

4:15 PM, Bethlehem – Checkpoint 300:  about 50 workers, ordered in two lanes were standing beforethe door. The soldiers at 4 counters were working fast so that the workers hadnot to wait for a long time. The civil guards seemed  friendly. One of themis accompanying a man into another room behind closed doors. After 10 minuteshe is coming back smiling.  The two womenwho are with him seem to feel relief.

 

 

  • 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.

  • Nu'man (Mazmuria)

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    •   situated on the Wall route as part of "Jerusalem Envelope," in its southeastern stretch, east of Zur Baher, Um Tuba and the small Nuaman Village, on  Beit Sahur road, the checkpoint will serve as the main crossing for commercial goods from the southern West Bank to Jerusalem.
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