Bethlehem, Fri 10.10.08, Morning
Summery: The Palestinians have probably deducted from their past experience that the bridge would be closed.
Bethlehem Checkpoint: Few Palestinians tried passing. No one was sent back, that is they all had necessary documents. We also didn't hear any noise from the other side of the checkpoint, which we usually do, and when the representative of the ecumenicals arrived at the end of our shift she confirmed that there were few people on the other side. The Palestinians have become used to the army's curfews during the holidays and apparently most of them have decided to stay in since the chances that they get to pass are less likely then on "usual" days.
It was only at one point that more people had accumulated and a line was formed by the only post that was open. We decided to call the humanitarian line so that they tell the soldiers to open an additional line. For some reason no one answered our call, so we came to the soldiers that got out of the inner rooms at the checkpoint:
-Could you open an additional line as there is a line now…
– Soldier A': We don't have enough man power and it's fine just as it is.
Soldier B': No it's not fine, there is a line.
After a couple of minutes they opened two additional lines through which those who were waiting passed quickly.
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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