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Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Wed 28.11.07, Morning

Place: Bethlehem (300) Etzion DCO
Observers: RAchel M. and Ora A. (reporting) Yosef driving
Nov-28-2007
| Morning

Bethlehem, Al Nashash, Nebi Yunes & Ezyon DCL  


 

06.40 Bethlehem CP

A surprise:  5 checking booths are open and the queues are short.   People pass through quickly and no guards are seen in the vicinity.   A man, who comes out smiling, says: “Annapolis”. 

07.00 Al Nashash

Very quiet;  nobody requests our assistance. 
  

07.30 Nebi Yunes

Heavy traffic: cars, lorries, transits & buses.   Here too nobody needs us. 

0830 Ezyon DCL

The yard is desolate and the hall is empty.   Maher answers our telephone and says that he has already taken care of four people and now he is busy with the fifth one.   He complains that his computer is “out of order” and asks us not to send him “too many people”.   A young man (GSS excluded) asks for advice about finding a job. 

  • 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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