Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Wed 20.2.08, Afternoon
14:30 – Bethlehem CP –Empty
14:45 – Etzion DCO – the DCO is empty apart for two young people and one older person – they do not ask for help. One of the younger men is asked to arrive at the GSS entrance.
On the way back to the checkpoint we pick up a Palestinian hitchhiker. He told of his failed attempts to get an Integrity Permit (he calls it a “Happiness Permit”) over the past three days. We took his personal information and promised to help.
15:20 – Bethlehem CP – there are two open checking booths (one has a fingerprint scanner and one does not). People arrive in a slow trickle and pass through without any hassle.
15:45 – Buses start arriving. 10-20 people enter each time.
There are seven people in the terminal; four checking booths are open – one does not have a computer. There is no security guard at the entrance.
At 16:00 a security guard arrives, but he leaves after a short while.
16:20 – The terminal fills up. There are about 10 people in front of every checking booth. There are about 40 people in the terminal.
There is a two minute wait. There is a draft.
One of the Palestinians says we should have come the day before when the terminal was flooded with water (we couldn’t come because of the snow).
16:45 – There are 6 people in the terminal. Two of the checking booths are open. One of the female soldiers is shouting over the loudspeaker at a Palestinian woman who is trying to pass to the Israeli side.
17:00 – There are two people inside. Two checking booths are open.
Despite the cold weather at the check post our heart is warmed by the many Palestinians who greet us.
Bethlehem (300)
See all reports for this place-
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
See all reports for this place-
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.
-