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Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Tue 12.2.08, Morning

Observers: Ruth E., Aviva W., Rama Y. (reporting)
Feb-12-2008
| Morning

 

 
06:30, Bethlehem CP. Five checking posts are active, the lines are long and tense. People report that it is very crowded on the Palestinian side as well. The soldiers work quietly and efficiently, but there is no way they can cope with the crowding. We call the commander’s office and are told that – can it be otherwise? – there’s not enough manpower. There are no less than 12 checking posts in this CP; very rarely did we see six of them functioning.  So why bother and build 12 in the first place? Appearance is the only thing that really counts in this “terminal,” as they like to name it in the army.
 
By 07:15 the pressure is alleviated.
 
07:55, Ezyon DCL. Three men are waiting for the DCL to open. They came for magnetic cards. It is rainy, windy and cold. They’ve been there, they say, for about an hour, huddled against the wall for some protection against the weather. There is no shed in the whole area in front of the DCL. At exactly 08:00 the DCL commander comes out and opens the waiting hall. He does a routine checking of the DCL. The three Palestinians still stand outside docile and obedient, not daring to enter the hall, until the commander comes out and signals them to do so.

  • 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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