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Bethlehem, Tue 7.6.11, Morning

Place: Bethlehem (300)
Tags: Arbitrariness, e.g. an arbitrary decision Slow passage
Observers: Rachel M., Drora P. (reporting)
Jun-07-2011
| Morning

 :Bethlehem- Checkpoint 300, 6:30 am

Today is the eve of the Festival of the First Fruits, (Pentacost – Shavuoth) and we wonder if the closure is already in force. It immediately becomes apparent that there is no closure, but that the people who should normally pass through the checkpoint have made the mistake of thinking that closure is in force.

When we arrive at the checkpoint at 06:45 there are no people at the exit, and only two inpection stations are manned. Gradually people begin to arrive for the last inspection and they are very annoyed. According to them, only one gate is open, and passage through it is slow. From time to time another wave arrives and it appears that many people are still waiting to enter. The Humanitarian center tells us that they will deal with the matter. 

We meet the of the civil administration representative, and he explains the problem to us “People thought that there is a closure and didn’t try to get to work.  When a rumor spread that there is no closure, people started to stream towards the checkpoint.  In the meantime – because no people arrived – the soldiers who were supposed to be at the other gates and the inspection stations at the exit were released.  They are tired and hungry and therefore they have gone to eat and rest . . .”

We demand that the civil administration representative should send  soldiers to open an additional gate, because after all, a change in the situation also requires a change in deployment.  The problem is solved and an additional gate is opened.  .So most of the people are able to pass through by 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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