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Bethlehem, Wed 26.1.11, Morning

Place: Bethlehem (300)
Tags: Slow passage
Observers: Aviva W., Rama Y. (reporting)
Jan-26-2011
| Morning

 

06:40 AM, Bethlehem – Checkpoint 300:  passage was quick both sides. On our side only two checking posts were open, and though the soldiers did their jobs quite efficiently, long lines formed time and again, and then waiting time was 8 minutes – not terrible, and no one complained – butall the same, at these critical morning hours three posts at least should function.

Later in the morning a Palestinian woman called Aviva: an acquaintance of hers had arrived at the CP at eight o’clock, long after the great bulk of early comers had gone through. The man had waited in line no less than one hour and a half.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

  • 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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