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Bethlehem, Wed 6.10.10, Morning

Place: Bethlehem (300)
Tags: Crowding
Observers: Aviva W., Rama Y. (reporting), a group of guests from Norway
Oct-06-2010
| Morning

     Bethlehem – Checkpoint 300, 06:40 am: four checking posts were open, and the passage on this side of the checkpoint   of the  was quite quick. The problem was, as usual, on the Palestinian side. Our Norwegian guests, who were staying in Bethlehem, said that they all had started in the regular line, but the crowding was such that they had split. Those of them that we’ve met on arrival had switched on to the humanitarian line. Those who had stayed in the regular line came out only after 07:00. All in all it took them about two hours to get through. And indeed men complained about the long wait and about the terrible crowding. 

  • 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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