Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Wed 12.8.09, Morning
6:30 am, Bethlehem – Checkpoint 300: six checking stations open, a first in my experience. The hall is full and the lines are long, but it is quiet. By 7:30 most of the people have passed through, and at 8:00 there is not one left. A boy about 15 years old holds up his birth certificate saying his mother is in the hospital, and he wants to visit her. He moves from line to line trying to pass. When asked where is his father, he says he is also in the hospital. He was told to bring an adult member of his family with him. Another man could not pass because of the hand check, but did pass in another line. Those who came late, said they waited from 15 minutes to one hour only.
8:15 am, Etzion DCL: at 8:20 the DCL opened. About 40 to 50 people were waiting. The people are very orderly and follow instructions of N, the head who speaks to them at the opening.
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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