Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Wed 19.3.08, Morning
6:45 am Bethelhem CP 300
There is a closure today so we see a trickle of people entering the CP. One works with the Wakf, others at churches. They say there is no line waiting at the entrance.
7:15 am Al Nashash
One man approaches us about police matters.
8:15 am Nebi Yunis
A 40 year old man who works as a bus driver tells us that he has been refused a magnetic card two times for no reason. With his third application he was told that since he drives in the Hebron area he has no need for the card. However, he does travel sometimes to Nablus. He was told to get such an affidavit from the bus company and reapply.
8:45: am DCO Etzion
A handful of men coming and going. A young man tells us he was caught three times in Jerusalem without a magnetic card. Now the shabak has invited him to the DCO. So he waits patiently. No one that we speak to has matters with the police.
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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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