Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Sun 10.4.11, Afternoon
Etzion DCL, 3:30 pm: we might as well copy-and-paste previous reports, because there is nothing new under the sun. More people than usual – the Christian Easter is approaching and people seek church permits. The Jewish Pesach is approaching, and the DCL will accept only humanitarian clients in its course. But the carousels don't move, the waiters are crushed against them, the soldier is absent or deaf, the number already inside is the magical constant: 15.
We find out that Easter permits are to be requested at the Palestinian DCL, not here, but hope dies eternal, and those who have already invested much time waiting don't give up in spite of the fair warning that they are wasting their time. But time has no cost in this forlorn humiliating place.
Bethlehem – Checkpoint 300, 5:15 pm: here, at least, the lines move quickly. Not only do the laborers returning home pass without harassment and unhindered, but they now dare carry stuff across the CP with them, we even saw several fairly large trees-in-earth being taken across. Heartwarming the CP is not, but at least those that only expect to cross it can do so rapidly.
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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