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Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Sun 7.9.08, Afternoon

Place: Bethlehem (300) Etzion DCO
Observers: Shulamit S., Yael S. (reporting)
Sep-07-2008
| Afternoon

 

Etzion DCL: The occupation isn't getting more comfortable but the people are getting used to it and their perspective on reality is changing.
 

The new soldiers at the DCL and the Civil Administration as those who are being recruited now, are part of a generation that has come to terms with the idea that there is no one to talk to, and think that a Palestinian doesn't have a right to pray at El Aktsa, but that it is a privilege given to them thanks to Israel's good heart. As someone who has been going to the checkpoints and DCLs for 4 years, I can point out the new methods in which they preserve the in certainty…

On this day there were about 30 Palestinians waiting to renew their magnetic cards- they were all from the vicinity of Beit Jala (Sunday is their day), some of them needed to renew the cards and other needed new ones.

We waited for about half an hour and saw that no one was allowed to enter, and then weunderstood that clearly there were ten more Palestinians at the posts (that's where they make the cards)

Twenty people had numbers that were given out that morning; the other ten didn't have any numbers. Or was it the other way around…

Shulamit as usual insisted that they all get their cards and permits (there were about 5 people waiting for permits). We left the DCL at about 6 PM: three people didn't get their magnetic cards, four had to wait for their permits outside since there was some sort of a malfunction in the computer and the inner posts were closed.

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  • 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   .

  • 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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