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Bethlehem, Fri 30.9.11, Morning

Place: Bethlehem (300)
Tags: Family Connections Soldiers at checkpoints
Observers: Claire Oren (reporting), Ilil Naveh-Benjamin (translating)
Sep-30-2011
| Morning

 

9:30-10:45

Bethlehem– Checkpoint 300: one lane is open, and a female soldier is sitting there in absolute silence – I didn’t hear her voice at all. The closure of the checkpoint is fully observed. A number of Palestinians go through, equipped with appropriate documentation. People are mostly going to Bethlehem.

A Palestinian arrives and explains he wants to visit his hospitalized son – but nothing helps and he’s sent back.

Upon leaving, I notice an announcement about an upcoming state appropriation of land near “Rachel’s Pass” in order to “improve the facility.” I hadn’t noticed it last time. Maybe it was already here, maybe not. The Hebrew version says 22.8.11, but the Arabic version has no date. The announcement consists of two letter-sized sheets glued on a yellow signpost, itself mounted on a fence near the parking lot.

  • 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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