Bethlehem, Tue 31.8.10, Morning
Almost 07:00 am, Bethlehem – Checkpoint 300: there are four inspection points open and most people have already gone through. People are hurrying on their way to work.
Naturally there are problems. One of the Palestinians approached us, agitated and angry. He had a valid work permit as well as a permit from a doctor stating that he has poor health. Since it was difficult for him to stand, he approached the humanitarian crossing and was sent away by one of the security personnel. The officer who was with him also refused to read the letter, claiming that it had been forged and rudely pushed him out of line. He approached us and asked us to refer him to someone with whom he would lodge a complaint. We referred him to Hannah B., who said she would investigate the matter and get back to him/
A man sitting in his car at the entrance to the crossing called me over. He was an employer waiting for workers and told me about the bitter complaints of the people crossing about the behavior of the soldiers at the checkpoint. I had no answer.
The line of people at the checkpoint had already passed through by 07:10.
What a day.
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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