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Bethlehem, Fri 14.3.08, Morning

Place: Bethlehem (300)
Observers: Efrat B., Leah A.(both reporting)
Mar-14-2008
| Morning


 

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Bethlehem checkpoint

9:00- About side were right Palestinian transits waiting. Inside there was just one lane that was manned and at the entrance a guard was patrolling. A line of about 10 Palestinians that needed to pass to Jerusalem. There was also a group of 8 tourists that were on their way to Bethlehem. The line wasn't moving- apparently the computer fell. One of the commanders came to see what was the problem. After ten minutes that computer started working all over again. In the mean while that line grew longer, the passage was slow even when they opened another lane. Most of the time there were about 15 people in the lines all the time. The guard patrolled inside the checkpoint accompanied by two other security men. We weren't sure whether they worked for a security agency or a different organization. They seemed to be checking something in the building.  
 

After 20 minutes the computer fell again, this time it happened in the post by the entrance. Two elder women, a mother with her daughter, needed to pass, the mother had a passport ( probably a foreign passport) while her daughter didn't have a permit. The soldier called for the officer so that he would talk to them. The obviously wouldn't let the daughter pass without a permit, they headed back to Bethlehem.  

9:47- We left.   

Beit Omar

10:05- We had to meet someone at Beit Omer so that he could sign a power of attorney- he requested that the prohibition on his passage be lifted.  

Nabi Unis

10:40- We had to meet another man who had to sign a power of attorney.  

The incidents were different, but it's horrible the way in which the GSS and the security forces are able to destroy people's lives. Their power reaches everywhere.

  • 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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