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Bethlehem, Fri 3.7.09, Morning

Place: Bethlehem (300)
Observers: Efrat B., Claire O. (both reporting)
Jul-03-2009
| Morning

 

9:10-10:10 AM, Bethlehem – Checkpoint 300: today, unlike the recent ongoing circumstances, wasn't as terrible: two checkpoints were kept constantly open and no queue was formed.  There were no cases of shouting or humiliation.

In two cases people were turned away but they didn't try to argue and we never even got to consider whether we should start intervening.

In one of these cases a young, unmarried woman arrived with a child, about 12 years old, and wanted to return him to his parents. The soldier said it was impossible and they left. Some of the Palestinians told us there are masses of people on the other side. They said that a second checkpoint was only opened around 10:00 AM despite the heavy pressure.

A young girl from the Ecumenicals' group approached us and said she's on a day off but that they're active on the other side 4 times a week  and that she thinks a cooperation with Machsom Watch (MW) is very positive.

  

  • 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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