Bethlehem, the forth Friday of Ramadan
We arrived today earlier than usual, at 8:10 am already. There were many people who wanted to go to Jerusalem to pray. The atmosphere was very violent (exceptionally against us, as well). There was pushing and shoving, violent behavior and the vocabulary was extremely limited and aggressive. Those who did not pass the “criterions” were sent back with a “little push”. No point of talking about the freedom of worship.
The disappointment on the faces of those sent back home was a sad and painful sight. After a while the “forces” moved south toward the “hidden” entrance and performed the “selection” there. As if no eye sees and no ear hears.
And thus another Ramadan came and went and nothing is new under the sun. Occupation is occupation and Ramadan is Ramadan.
Bethlehem, the forth Friday of Ramadan, 10 July, 2015
Yael Shalem, Hannah Br”g and a visitor, a Canadian photograph
Translation: Naomi Gal
We arrived today earlier than usual, at 8:10 am already. There were many people who wanted to go to Jerusalem to pray. The atmosphere was very violent (exceptionally against us, as well). There was pushing and shoving, violent behavior and the vocabulary was extremely limited and aggressive. Those who did not pass the “criterions” were sent back with a “little push”. No point of talking about the freedom of worship.
The disappointment on the faces of those sent back home was a sad and painful sight. After a while the “forces” moved south toward the “hidden” entrance and performed the “selection” there. As if no eye sees and no ear hears.
And thus another Ramadan came and went and nothing is new under the sun. Occupation is occupation and Ramadan is Ramadan.
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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