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Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Sun 21.12.08, Afternoon

Observers: Tami B., Daniela G. (reporting), Yael S. (guest)
Dec-21-2008
| Afternoon

 

14:50 PM, Gilo Intersection: opposite Tantur we witnessed 3 Border Policemen (BP), (one of them a young female), on the lookout for Palestinians without entry permits into Jerusalem. We stopped because their sole "catch" at that point was made to stand facing to the wall, hands behind his back. In answer to our query as to this humiliating position, the female BP strangely volunteered that "he wasn't feeling well" and a young BP male rudely told us it was none of our business and that we were interfering with his work. At that moment, a BP jeep stopped by and out came their superior. He was considerably more cooperative and said he would look into our complaint regarding the necessity of the humiliating posture forced upon the young Palestinian.

 

15:15 PM, Etzion DCL: relatively few cars in the parking lot and less than ten people inside. 2 of them seeking magnetic cards but having no numbers, all the rest had come for an entry permit into Israel on the occasion of the upcoming Christian holidays. Since we perceived that the office was almost empty of petitioners, we easily persuaded someone at the window behind the turnstiles to let the 2 men requesting a magnetic card through. Helping those desiring an entry permit for the holidays proved to be more of a problem. 2 rather older men and one young were refused on security grounds even though they had magnetic cards. 4 others were members of the same family – two men and two women, one of whom showed us that her young children had already received permits, while she was denied. With the help of one of our women, the officer in charge gave orders that all be let into the office where they will be able to hand in their petitions again. It was promised that in the evening their requests would be sorted out and by tomorrow morning they would have their final answers.
   

 

16:30 PM, Bethlehem Checkpoint: no lines outside, 3 stations open inside. People rushing in, come out on the other side within less than a minute each.

 

 

 

 

 

  • Bethlehem (300)

    See all reports for this place
    • 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

    See all reports for this place
    •   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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