Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Sun 27.7.08, Afternoon
Etzion DCL: This time we arrived early, at 12:00.
There were some 50 people waiting, 40 with numbers from Thursday and ten without numbers.
They used to distribute numbers at 08:00 and guaranteed to accept everyone, and even then, so we were told, there were some without numbers who would wait and sometimes get in.
The line did not move.
13 women who were there entered before the men – for women have priority. They suggested declaring a women’s day in order to avoid this bypassing of the line.
In conversation with the Administration PR officer, he said that a meeting was planned with Hana Barag and I should approach her with problems so she can raise them in her meeting with the Director.
On Route 60 before 12:00 we saw long lines of trucks carrying stone products, standing at the Tunnel Checkpoint. We also saw augmented security forces south of Etzion, and police cars on Route 60.
At the end of the shift it was clear to me that one man had waited more than two hours for a Shabak interrogation.
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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