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Bethlehem, Tue 9.8.11, Morning

Place: Bethlehem (300)
Tags: Crowding Slow passage X-ray machine
Observers: Rachel M., Drora P. (reporting)
Aug-09-2011
| Morning

 am 6:50   Bethlehem –  Checkpoint 300 

    Tisha Be-Av – Rachel's Crossing. 6:50 am

the cars outside gave no indication of what was going on inside:  only one post is open and operating.

People pass in a very thin stream.  It turns out that only one metal detector is working, the rest are idle or in disrepair, with no one to fix them.  After a call to a high-ranking police personage, 2 posts were manned. The soldier previously on duty left.  Here and there lines formed, and someone told us that another machine was operating, but very slowly.  Of course such a situation exacerbates the level of anger, and is accompanied by humiliation, as well as the occasional loss of a day's wages.

With respect to the partly idle machines: we reported last week.  With respect to the unmanned positions, we suspect that tisha be-av has something to do with reduced man power.

Not a few of those inside direct their anger at us, and "advise" us to move to the other side and the middle room to see what is going on there.  And we explain that we are prohibited from entering the other side, and are ashamed of our helplessness to change the situation.

In the rebuilding of the Temple we shall be comforted……..

  • 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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