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Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Tue 3.8.10, Afternoon

Place: Bethlehem (300) Etzion DCO
Observers: Yael L.-J. (reporting). Avital F. (driving)
Aug-03-2010
| Afternoon

14.30-17.40 PM

 

Checkpoint Walajee: we were taking the way  to Etzion via  the road to Beit Jala. Beautiful,  almost no traffic. The checkpoint is small, part of it under construction. In each direction there were about 5 cars, no pedestrians.

 

15.30 PM, Etzion DCL: on the contrary to  the customary situation  the parking lot was full of Palestinian cars, but in the waiting hall was only one man waiting (companion of one applicant).  

Two elderly men were coming and one young man who was calling for the soldier on duty at the turnstile. After I called the given Matak number, a soldier was coming and opening the turnstile.

Five minutes later the young guy was returning to us, telling us that he was ordered by the police  to come, but now he was learning that no police officer was in Etzion DCL. He was told to return the next day. Incidentally  it was not clear if  he had already dealt with punishment or if he was expecting some.
 

 Checkpoint Har Homa: idle CP.
  

16.45 PM, Bethlehem – Checkpoint 300: a few Palestinians were passing to Bethlehem, a lot of tourists came from Bethlehem and a bus full of tourists were on their way to Bethlehem.  Two counters were open. Most of the tourists could pass without any inspection of their papers.

 

We left the CP at 17.00 PM.

  

  • 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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