Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Sun 19.10.08, Afternoon
15:00 PM, Etzion DCL: We arrived at the DCL shortly before 15.00
Two Palestinians were waiting for interrogation by the GSS, and one more who arrived at noon; there were also some people who had arrived at noon and were waiting for people inside. We reported about those waiting for interrogation and one of them was taken inside. Two people who came out with magnetic cards told us that everything was OK today.
The days are the holidays of Succot (the feast of Tabernacles).
We met a member of the Yemima Organization from Beit Jalla who was having difficulties in obtaining visas for volunteers, which are also subject to an Israeli quota.
21:00 PM, Rachel's Passage: We passed through Rachel's Passage which was so quiet that we were not even stopped for questioning. There were three people who had passed into Israel through the Jerusalem checkpoint. Two of them were internationals and one had a Jerusalem ID.
A sweet and happy New Year to all .
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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