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Bethlehem, Etzion DCL, Wed 5.12.07, Morning

Place: Bethlehem (300) Etzion DCO
Tags: Crowding
Observers: M.driving, O. and R. observing and reporting
Dec-05-2007
| Morning
> 
 
Bethlehem, Al Nashash, Nebi Yunis, DCO Etzion
Bethlehem CP, 6:40 am
Five checking stations are open.  The lines of people are long and crowded.  They say there are many people still waiting to enter the CP.  There are two CP's closed today, Jabber and another near Gush Etzion and those people have been diverted to this CP.  One security guard is present.  An Israeli army officer approaches us with a smile and hand outstretched.  He has been sent here to observe because of the closure of the two CP's.  He tells us that there is no protection from the coming rain at the entrance, although it has been repeatedly requested.
Al Nashash, 7:30am  No one asks for help.
Nebi Yunis, 8:00 am
A taxi driver came to inquire about his friend who was stopped by the police at 7:30 pm in July at the Masmia junction.  He had a permit to be in Israel until 7:00 pm but the traffic delayed him.  He was not fined, but told he could not drive for three months.  He went to Hebron to see if he was cleared.  There he was told to go to Beit El.  His name still appears on the police list.

 Etzion DCL 8:45 am

People have already been received.  Two are waiting to inquire about a magnetic card.

  • 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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