Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Sun 15.2.09, Morning
7:00 AM, Bethlehem Checkpoint 300: we are greeted by a smiling Palestinian woman, L, who announces with glee that a new line has been opened for women, children, old people, tourists, and the sick. This is a great relief to all these group, especially the women, who suffered harassment from the men in the lines in the past.
The gates were opened on time this morning, but at 05:30 suddenly the magnetic detectors shut off for half an hour and no one got through. The Ecumenicals told us that at this time 1600 people have passed through. Five windows are open , after a while one shut close, then was reopened again.
7:30 The line at the other side ended, the exit hall was full. 2200 people had passed through, less than usual.
8:30 AM, Etzion DCL: the chairs in the waiting hall have been replaced by new and more sturdy ones, still in their plastic covers. 45 people have signed up with the Palestinian "sadran". At this time 15 people have been admitted to the windows, but they start coming out only close to 9:00. An interesting question comes up: Two women, each with the requisite permits to come to Jerusalem on a regular basis, complain that they are not allowed through on Saturday! One of them is a first-grade teacher in a school in Jerusalem. She teaches on Saturday. The other one has a family in Israel and is allowed to live with them. She went to visit her family in Bethlehem and wanted to return yesterday, but was turned away. She will try again today.
It's not clear why people who work on Saturday and have valid permits are not allowed to cross the checkpoints.
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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