Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Sun 14.9.08, Afternoon
14.25 PM, Etzion DCL: About thirty people were waiting in the waiting hall. There were about fifteen more inside the DCL. By 14.30, we estimated that sixty people at most had received magnetic cards, an average of thirteen minutes per card. 15.00 : By questioning those leaving the DCL, it became clear that some of those who didn't receive (queue) numbers could also have been dealt with, but that there wasn't enough time for all of them to have been processed. – twenty more at the most. I suggested that those who had a work or trading permit should be given priority so that they could return to earning their living as quickly as possible. My proposal was accepted, and Nevuani came out and distributed numbers to those who had a valid permit. Of course, those who did not have a permit were very annoyed about this and by the fact that we interfered with their queuing arrangements. 16.20 : Shlomit estimated that it was possible for five more of the people waiting to be received – they had been waiting for the whole day. Three of them who were waiting for magnetic card renewal were allowed to enter, and the last two were sent away, together with us, by an officer and his assistant, who closed the doors at 17.00. Altogether, a hundred and three magnetic card applications were processed (including finger-print renewal, new card issues or those who had been refused because of security denials). I estimate that about ten Palestinians were refused during the whole day.
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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