Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Tue 7.7.09, Morning
06:30 AM, Bethlehem Checkpoint: three checking posts were open, then two, then three again, then two, and then just one. The lines grew and diminished accordingly. At this point a police officer came out of the office, and when he saw the crowding, he ordered to open immediately more posts. Which proves yet again that leaving the management of the checkpoint to the good will of the soldiers is not the best of ideas, and that the presence of officers is essential.
All in all, this was not a “bad” morning, and by 07:30 the line on the other side vanished too.
08:30 AM, Etzion DCL: about 15 people were waiting. A man told us that his son, holder of a Palestinian ID, is married for 11 years now to a resident of Jerusalem. During the years, he had had to renovate every six months his permit to stay in Jerusalem. The last time he did so, three months ago, his permit was taken for “security checking” and was not returned to him since.
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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