Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Sun 22.3.09, Morning
7:00 AM, Bethlehem: the flow of workers is smooth and efficient. The exit hall is almost empty and few people on the other side. An unusual problem: four female medical students want to cross and one of them is not allowed to. We have never seen them before, but they cross every day at the Tunnel crossing (sic!) they tell us. They speak fluent English. All are fifth year students at the Al Kuds University and do practicum at Mukassad Hospital. The one student that is kept behind gets to go through after we make some calls.
8:30 AM, Etzion DCL: 23 people are on the self-made list. Some ten have been received so far. Many complaints about confiscation of permits. One man, recently released from prison (a month and a day long sentence) and having a two year suspended sentence, is there to renew his magnetic card and is confident he will get a permit.
We go the Halhul to sign a client on his papers to go to court and return to Jerusalem.
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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