Back to reports search page

Bethlehem, Tue 3.6.08, Morning

Place: Bethlehem (300)
Observers: Ruth E., Aviva W., Rama Y. (reporting)
Jun-03-2008
| Morning

06:30, Bethlehem CP. Crowded and nervous as usual at this CP. Five checking posts were open. Only at around 07:30 did the pressure diminish.  

We saw a soldier pushing violently a Palestinian who was already on his way out of the CP. The man tried to explain something, in vain. We talked to him outside the CP. The man was in complete control of himself, smiling even.
“I had to say something to a friend still waiting in line, and the soldier wouldn’t let me. We are denied even the simplest things.” And he added: “There will be an end to all this…”

 

07:50, Ezyon DCL. About fifty people were waiting; almost all of them for magnetic cards. Almost all of them are not allowed to enter Israel for “security” reasons. Why did they come? There are rumors that the day before, maybe some other day, all those who are prevented from entering Israel had received magnetic cards, and people are so desperate for work that they came, just in case. We waited, but until we left no one of them received a magnetic card. One of them had been in touch with our colleague Sylvia, and she had told him then that he stood no chance of having a magnetic card, as he was not married. He too came, hoping against hope that some miracle would happen and the prohibition would be removed.

  

  • 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   .
Donate