Bethlehem, Tue 28.10.08, Afternoon
2:30 PM, Bethlehem Checkpoint: When we first arrived at the Rahel crossing at about 2:30, there were two stations open, but not a soul crossing in either direction. Perhaps it was because of the time of day, or perhaps because of the unpleasant weather.
Within about 15 minutes, more people arrived. The two border police-women operating the stations were efficient and everyone was able to cross in either direction quickly and without incident.
A woman approached us with a request. She is a Greek Orthodox woman who lives in Bethlehem who has a permit to come into Jerusalem to work as a cleaning woman. She said that her 21 year old daughter who was born in Beit Sahur but who is now married with two children and lives in Bethlehem is not allowed to enter Jerusalem at all — even for Christian festivals when other members of their church are allowed in. She said that her name has appeared on the list of people from her church who request permission to go to the Holy Sepulchre for Easter and Christmas, the Etzion DCL always refuses her entry. Her husband is allowed in! Very strange.
The mother says that she is never given a reason for the refusal and asked if we could help.
I have the information about the woman if anyone has a suggestion for how we might help.
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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