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Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Wed 21.5.08, Morning
Place:
Bethlehem (300)
Etzion DCO
Observers: Drora, Ora, Rahel (reporting)
6:45 am Bethlehem: Long crowded lines of people waiting to pass. Very noisy. We meet an Ecumenical representative. He tells us that the CP opened on time, 5:02 am. When he arrived there were four stations checking. After a phone call to the humanitarian representative, another station was opened. We are told there is no staff for the sixth station to function.
No problem for women to go to the head of the line.
7:45 am Nebi Yunis: A man tells us that a year ago he received a police report with a fine of NIS 750.00 and his license was taken. Now he would like to know the cost of the fine in order to pay it. We directed him to the DCL in Hevron.
8:30 am Etzion DCL: A trickle of people coming to renew their magnetic cards. A man has been refused a magnetic card. Twenty years ago he was in Israeli jail for a few months. Since then he works for the UN in the west bank, but would like to work for the UN in Jerusalem. We urged him to get the letter from the UN first, requesting his employment, then to try again with our help.
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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