Bethlehem, Fri 12.8.11, Morning
BETHLEHEM — THE PALESTINIAN SIDE
FRIDAY, 12.8.2011, SECOND FRIDAY OF RAMADAN
Access to the checkpoint is full of cars and a stream of pedestrians. The first entry into the checkpoint is manned by Palestinian police men and women; the second entry mostly by border police. Much attention is paid to age and permits, but it seems that most manage to cross. At the entrance to the checkpoint the same arrangements as last week are in place, and all moves swiftly. When crowding happens, men too are directed to cross around the "terminal", thus preventing pressure at the magnometers. The policepersons conduct themselves courteously towards those crossing.
Attention to age is strict, and here and there some were turned back. Particularly youngsters over 12 without permits or unaccompanied by parents. Like all teenagers, they desire to enjoy the blandishments of the big city.
Towards noon, there was a momentary scuffle at the first entrance, and it looked as though the Palestinian police might lose control, but order was soon restored.
We witnessed three occasions where a woman and two men tried to circumvent the usual entry to the lines; they were soon caught, taken to the main entrance, and sent back. We were glad our fears that their IDs would be confiscated came to nought.
Average crossing: c. 15 minutes. Some 30,000 worshippers crossed. The first stream, mostly women, began at 3:00 a.m. The checkpoint is open from 2:00 a.m.
Red Crescent personnel were present, but they had brought only one wheelchair — insufficient for the number of persons who needed it. We remarked on this, and hope that next week there will be more wheelchairs.
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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