Bethlehem, Sheich Sa'ed, Ras a Sabitan, Cliff hotel

Place:

Bethlehem (300)

Cliff Hotel

Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal)

Sheikh Sa'ed

Observers:

Observers: Chana B., Anat T. (reporting) Translator: Charles K.

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Jul-14-2019

Morning

Bethlehem checkpoint, the Israeli side

Photo:

Anat Tueg

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

Cliff Hotel

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Cliff Hotel
A checkpoint on Jerusalem’s municipal boundary.

It sits on the separation fence south of Abu Dis. The checkpoint is manned by Border Police soldiers and private security companies and operates 24 hours a day. Palestinians are forbidden to go through, other than residents of the Qunbar and Surhi families who live west of the separation fence, some of whom have blue ID cards and others have entry permits to Jerusalem. Other Palestinians, including residents of East Jerusalem, are not permitted through the checkpoint. Visitors to the families are permitted through the checkpoint only after their hosts obtain permits for them at the checkpoint.

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.

Sheikh Sa'ed

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A checkpoint limited to pedestrians, located on Jerusalem’s municipal boundary.

The checkpoint sits on the separation fence at the entrance to Sheikh Sa’ad, dividing it from its neighbourhood of Jabel Mukkabar. It’s manned by Border Police soldiers and private security companies and operates 24 hours a day. Palestinians are forbidden to go through, other than residents of Jabel Mukkabar or Sheikh Sa'ad who have permits. Both groups are permitted through only on foot. Residents of East Jerusalem who don’t live in Jabel Mukkabar are also allowed to cross to Sheikh Sa’ad, but not in the opposite direction; they must return through the Sawahira ash Sharqiya checkpoint.

Mar-7-2025

Avital Toch

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