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Bethlehem, Tue 29.3.11, Morning

Place: Bethlehem (300)
Tags: Slow passage Soldiers at checkpoints
Observers: D, R (both reporting)
Mar-29-2011
| Morning

 

Bethlehem – Checkpoint 300, 6:40 am:a very frustrating and depressing morning.  Only three soldiers were actively checking. There is a fourth soldier who is saying her morning prayers!!  We go up to her, we tell the guards, but to no avail. The lines are not particularly long, but people say there are many people still waiting. The usual method occurs. The lines dry up, and then there is a flood of people, so many we cannot see the end of the three lines. 

There are many complaints about A, the humanitarian soldier. It seems that he does not let the regular line operate, while letting women, etc. through the special line. People waited three hours to pass. One man said if he is given a permit to pass, he should be allowed to pass in a decent manner, not to have to wait an exaggerated time.

I can only agree with him.

  • 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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