Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Sun 10.2.08, Afternoon
Feb. 10 and Feb. 17, 2008
Why did we combine two shifts into one report? Because the situation and the scene are identical. We arrive at Etzion DCO and the only people there are those who are waiting for GSS interrogations or people who are GSS restricted. The Israeli DCO works directly with the Palestinian DCO, the quota for magnetic cards must be full, working licenses are arranged through the employers and perhaps the Palestinians have simply given up.
In each visit we assisted with one or two cases, and we are not sure if we helped or not…
We have read, just like everyone else, that the situation in Beit-Omar is still volatile. It seems like there is no talks between the villagers (Hammas) and the security forces. The cease fire that has held for nearly 4 years has been breached (the Palestinians fault of course) and the village is subject to searches and harassments. Our presence in not welcome, and we cannot visit any family since they would become suspected collaborators. Our inability to calm down the situation is very frustrating.
We glanced at the Bethlehem CP from the car and saw that there were no long lines. It seems horribly normal.
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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