Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Tue 29.1.08, Afternoon
DCL Gush Ezion, Bethlehem Crossing
It was a very cold, overcast, threatening afternoon. We went first to the DCL at Gush Ezion. There were two young men (about 20yrs. old) waiting. We had difficulty communicating but learned that one of the men, from Hebron, was there because he had been summoned by the GSS. He had already been inside but had been told to wait (in the unheated) reception area and had been waiting for an hour. Two men emerged from the inner offices carrying what appeared to be permits. A few minutes later, another man in his 20's came in saying that he too had been summoned by the GSS. Both were still waiting when we left.
When we arrived at the Bethlehem Crossing, there was a private security guard at the entrance. Two windows were open, but almost no one was going through. Within a few minutes, groups of people started coming through. Even though only two windows were open, the people moved through very quickly. We timed the wait as being less than 5 minutes.
Very uneventful shift.
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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