Bethlehem, Tue 15.6.10, Afternoon
16.30 – 17.30 PM, Bethlehem – Checkpoint 300: there was a steady stream of workers returning home. In addition, three separate busloads of tourists were coming towards Jerusalem. At first, the four stations that were operating could cope, one of them dedicated to the incoming tourists. But suddenly two posts were closed and this caused total chaos. Lines of workers formed outside, the solitary ‘private' guard couldn't cope and kept phoning desperately for help. Meanwhile, the three Israeli tour guides were waiting for their tourists to come out, who did so in dribs and drabs. The guides all complained to us about the conditions – that routines were changed without warning, that so much of the tour time was wasted at the crossing and, also, that there were no toilets so they had to take their tourists to the nearest gas station instead.
Finally the guard managed to persuade his chief how bad the crush was, so suddenly a police officer appeared. He opened a gate between the checking stations, the crowd of Palestinians surged through and the crisis was over.
Interestingly, there seemed to be no need for their documents and fingerprints to be checked! We later learned that this happens quite frequently.
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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