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Bethlehem, Tue 22.3.11, Morning

Place: Bethlehem (300)
Tags: Slow passage
Observers: Rachel M., Drora P (reporting).
Mar-22-2011
| Morning

06.45  Bethlehem – Checkpoint 300:   people were fed-up because they have been waiting a long time. According to one of those crossing, the humanitarian entrance was opened only at 05.30. Most of the time, there was a steady flow of people through the crossing. Four inspection stations were operating, and close to 08.00 am another one was opened.

We were here after  two days of closure, during which people could not work.  At the main entrance people were let in group-by-group and they were very much on-edge.

Suddenly there appeared opposite us an ecumenical person (volunteer) who presented us to a group of six tourists from the USA who came on behalf of the protestant church. They were full of appreciation for our actions and said that they would tell their friends that “the Americans don’t know anything about what goes on here”.

There was still a long queue at 08.00

  • 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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