The Olives Checkpoint: A small child was not allowed to cross to Jerusalem with his mother

Place:

Bethlehem (300)

Jerusalem

Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal)

Observers:

Netanya G., Bruce S. (photographing), Kamal (driver and translator), Anat T. (reporting); Translator: Charles K.

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Dec-12-2021

Morning

ירושלים, מחסום הזיתים - האם יעברו לירושלים?

Jerusalem, Ras Abu Sbeitan - Will they pass to Jerusalem?

Photo:

Bruce Shaffer

ירושלים - בית קומות מיועד להריסה למרגלות מחסום הזיתים

Jerusalem - the house tp be demolished

Photo:

Natanya Ginsburg

Location Description

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 info-icon

' 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

Jerusalem

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The places in East Jerusalem which are visited routinely by MachsomWatch women are Silwan and Sheikh Jarrah. During the month of Ramadan, also the Old City and its environs are monitored.

Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal)

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A large checkpoint/crossing to the area of a-Tur, Abu Dis and the Old City; only for pedestrians. Located on Jerusalem’s municipal boundary.

One of the major crossings in Jerusalem’s central sector. It is located on the separation fence between the northern portion of the al-Ezariya neighborhood and the neighborhood of a-Tur and the rest of East Jerusalem. It is manned by Border Police soldiers and private security companies and operates 24 hours a day. Palestinians are forbidden to go through, other than permanent residents of East Jerusalem (holders of blue ID cards) and holders of work and commercial permits who are allowed through only on foot.