Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Tue 10.11.09, Afternoon
2:00 PM till 5:00 PM
2:30 PM, Etzion DCL: the hall was empty when we got there. In the parking lot: a bus and a few cars. later we met a young teacher who came by bus, together with 20 other Roman Catholics from Beit-Sahour. They had organized their visit at the DCL ahead of time in order to issue a magnetic card as a base for a Chrismas permit in December. They will all have to come again, because it is impossible to issue a permit on the same day as the magnetic card.
A couple from Bethlehem that came later to issue a permit were let in after one of them (a teacher) called on the cellphone her friend who was still inside the DCL.
4:30 PM, Bethlehem – Checkpoint 300: four counters open. people are waiting 2-3 minutes, soldiers working fast.
A policeman took a younger Palestinian men to a room, cloosing the door so fast, that we could not react. We didn't see the Palestinian or the policeman leaving until we left. But the part of the building he was taken to has more exits, and he may have left by another exit.
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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