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Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Wed 24.12.08, Afternoon

Place: Bethlehem (300) Etzion DCO
Observers: Shulamit S., Yael S. (reporting)
Dec-24-2008
| Afternoon

14:00 – 15:00 Etzion DCL: Wednesday was Christmas eve. We arrived at the DCL at 14:00. Things were looking good.

Seventy numbers have been distributed during the morning. We were told, once we entered the inner room, by the posts, that only 20 people had entered. About 40 people were waiting outside. None of them had numbers. Ten people were waiting for investigations at the GSS.

All the commanders, apart for one, were at Bethlehem because of the holiday. At about 15:00 there were 8 Palestinians inside, two have by taken in for investigation, and the rest were still waiting. From what we understood no one was considering to assist those who were waiting because there was much pressure due to the need in permits during the Christian holiday.

 We left at 15:00 and intended to come back but we were held up at Beit Ummar until 17:45… 

Happy Christmas

  • 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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