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Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Sun 30.12.07, Morning
Place:
Bethlehem (300)
Etzion DCO
Observers: Sylvia P., Ofra B. chana A. (reporting)
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Bethlehem CP, El Nashash and Etzion DCL
6:55 Bethlehem crossing: Lots of people outside, but this is deceptive because inside there are even more people waiting in the lines. Five booths are open, but one of them at least had computer problems and the crossing here is slow. On the Palestinian side the picture turns out to be as follows: The gate opened this morning at 05:00. Then it closed for half an hour at least at 05:30 and it continued this way, open and close. This is the reason for the terrible crowding we see. The fact that the five booths cannot cope when the flow of people is at its zenith does not bother anyone. Sylvia already wrote about our running in with the head of the private company's guards which was very unpleasant. It is not clear who can alleviate a situation like this. When we called Roni, the commander of the CP, he said he couldn't do anything. Bottom line: many workers were going to be late for work, with hours subtracted from their pay and many probably just went back home since it doesn't pay to be late. 08:10 El Nashash: We took depositions from three petitioners to the High Court. 08:45 Etsion DCL: Many people ask our advice, but not many petitioners. The waiting room was one-fifth full, the weather outside was beautiful and as we stood there enjoying the sun, many people came up to us as if we were an information service. We tried to do the best we could. |
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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