Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Tue 2.10.07, Morning
05:40, Bethlehem CP. Total closure for the whole week of Succoth holiday. The CP is almost empty accordingly; only the happy few who hold the right permits can go to work. <p>
Leaving the CP, we see a group of about seven women held in a shed, just a few meters away from the entrance to Bethlehem CP, guarded by border police. They were apprehended while trying to sneak into Jerusalem, probably to work. No one of them holds the necessary documents, not even IDs. A polite officer explains that they are awaiting the police; he won’t let us speak with them, though. About forty minutes later we came back – one woman had been released after being identified; the police have not yet arrived.<p>
08:00, Ezyon DCL. The DCL, we are told, is functioning as usual. There are about six people.
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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