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Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Sun 11.4.10, Afternoon

Observers: Daniella G., Maya B.-H. (reporting)
Apr-11-2010
| Afternoon

3:30 PM, Etzion DCL: few people around, all waitingfor the police

representative. One man tells us that he wascaught in Israelwithout

permits in 2005, fined, and 3 years probation.But though this ended in

2008, he discovered that he is policeprevented till 2011. He wants post

operative care (he had knew surgery inMokassad), but can't get a permit

to go. We enlisted the help of Dalia Bassa.Another man had come to

lodge an unusual complaint. He is an IsraeliArab citizen, who lives in

Ramla, and about a week ago was abused in Jericho by Palestinian

policemen. He tried to complain to the Ramlapolice, who said they

couldn't help him, but somehow got in touchwith Maher (the policeman who

is in Etzion some days), who said that he'dtry to help him. How, indeed,

does an Israeli citizen lodge a complaintagainst a Palestinian authority?


4:30 PM, Bethlehem – Checkpoint 300: the line waiting was quitelong, because there was a single window dealing with the workers going backhome.  As soon as we

arrived, however, a policeman came down, andhelped move the crowds.

People only had to show their permits, butnot their palms, and in no time

the line was over.

 

  • 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.
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