Bethlehem, the fourth Friday of the month of Ramadan
9:15 – 10:45
I arrived early and left early because I had to be home by 12:00. Unlike last week, Border Patrol soldiers (who stood immediately behind the right turn in the direction of the checkpoint), didn’t stop me or ask anything. They let me continue ahead so I found a parking space relatively close to the checkpoint.
There were few people at the beginning of the observation. I stood close to the Palestinian exit from the courtyard, the same one they cross to exit the checkpoint. A soldier was interested in what I was doing there. He, also, had never heard of Machsom Watch.
“If you are looking for something, can I help you?”
“I am not looking for anything; I only want to observe what happens at the checkpoint.”
And that was the end of the conversation. He didn’t send me to any other place, he didn’t tell me that this was a sterile area, etc., as has happened in the past.
Along the entire road, groups of soldiers walked and told jokes among themselves. There was no visible tension.
The buses waited, one after another, until they filled up and then left. This is much different from the crowding and pushing in years past.
I hope that the Muslim Palestinians will be happy enough to enjoy the holiday of Eid al-Fitr.
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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