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Bethlehem, Fri 15.7.11, Morning

Place: Bethlehem (300)
Tags: Ramadan
Observers: Clare Oren (reporting). Iris (guest)
Jul-15-2011
| Morning

 

10:00-11:30

Bethlehem– Checkpoint 300:

 my daughter Iris is the guest, who came primarily for the Palestinian State Solidarity March

Three lanes are open.  Queues are generally not longer since the first crossing from Bethlehem is much longer.  A few minutes after we arrive, my daughter says, “What, does he want a picture?”  And indeed, I see that a soldier positioned in lane 3 is looking at her, letting someone pass, then looking at her again… I think, well, maybe this’ll help a few Palestinians pass through faster and let a few children cross even though dad only has a work permit…

But suddenly, a Palestinian arrives who wants to cross with his small child.  This same smiley soldier, so young, tells the man to go back to Bethlehem.  I ask the soldier to exercise better judgment, but judgment is apparently not his strong suit.  With a big grin he tells me it’s impossible.

My daughter suddenly turns and says, “Look what he’s doing!” I turn and see the soldier taking her picture with his cell phone camera.  I pull out my own camera and mime to him, asking in sign language if he wants us to photograph him, too.  He laughs.  They usually jump at our throats if we try to take photos  there.  I seize the moment and take his picture (attached).

 

 

 

 

 

Also attached is a photo from the Palestinian solidarity march

 

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  • 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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