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Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Wed 20.2.08, Morning

Place: Bethlehem (300) Etzion DCO
Tags: DCO (District Coordination Offices)
Observers: Ora A., Rachel M.(reporting), Drora P. Yoska M. (driving)
Feb-20-2008
| Morning

 
6:45 am  Bethlehem CP
The temperature is close to zero and the wind is fierce.  Four checking stations open.  There are few people in line and we are told there are few people entering.
 
7:15 Al Nashash
No one asks for help
 
8:00 Nebi Yunis
No one asks for help
 
8:45 DCO Etzion
The waiting room is empty.  Two men enter on police matters.  We are asked to help a man from Bethlehem who has a permit for eight days from Hadassah Ein Kerem to visit his brother who will have surgery.  The DCO took away his permit for eight days and gave him a permit for one day only.  We contact D, the health representative, to find out why his permit was reduced.  When it becomes clear that his brother has an Israeli ID because he is married to an Israeli, she says that she cannot help him.  This situation is not in her jurisdiction.
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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   .

  • 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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