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Bethlehem, Fri 10.6.11, Morning

Place: Bethlehem (300)
Observers: Claire Oren (reporting)
Jun-10-2011
| Morning

 

Bethlehem– Checkpoint 300:   for some reason the parking lot is closed and a  sign states “For military vehicles only”. There are only two vehicles there . . .  

Two inspection stations are open. The officer who is walking about in the checkpoint “doesn’t understand what I am doing here” and he is sure that I should stand outside. After he checks over the telphone , he gives up on the argument with me.

There are no queues and no case where someone is not allowed to pass. Although one of the female soldiers is inclined to shout, the people pass through and no-one turns to us to complain.

Today no-one comes with children.

  • Bethlehem (300)

    See all reports for this place
    • 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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