Bethlehem, Thu 14.2.08, Morning
5:30 – 7:30
Rachel Crossing – Israeli side: 5:30 – The checkpoint opened apparently at 5:15. Upon our arrival, there are 5 booths open. Towards 6:00 many people are crowded, but the crossing is relatively quick.
Today for the first time we saw people returning from work in Israel at these hours. Of course, there is no special line for them and they have to manage to get into, opposite of the direction of the waiting people at the lines.
One of the guards of the private company, a young guy, is very rough, and talks aggressively to people. He shouts to them: "Fly from here", "You are not going to stand here" (to people waiting or praying under the roof since the weather is rainy), "You are not going to smoke here" (and after 2 minutes he himself lights a cigarette inside the building!!!!).
At 6:30 there are no more people trying to cross – because of the rainy weather many workers have not gone to work – and then, the 6th booth opened!!!!!
Nebi Yunes: 7:15 – we delivered documents.
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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