Bethlehem (300)

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Bethlehem (300)

Observers:

Clair Oren, Translation: Naomi Gal

Apr-3-2015

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Morning

09:10 to 11:00

For most of my shift only 2 windows are open, and worse - on the Palestinian side only one passage is open and many Palestinians complain that it is not enough and that passage is slow. The security guard occasionally asks his colleague on the Palestinian side to slow down, as on the Israeli side a long line is formed. Instead of opening another passage there and here more windows, they further slow the passage! Of course, the usual explanation is related to manpower shortage.

An interesting conversation ensues with the security guard who overcomes the discomfort that we are celebrating our Freedom Holyday while preventing the freedom of another people, so that actually we are the occupied.

A nice Ecumenical volunteer reports a long line on the Palestinian side and that two were not allowed to pass.

An elderly woman is informed that she is prevented from entering Israel. The senior policeman, who usually is ready to check, use commonsense and solve problems, is overcome with impatience with her screams and sends her back. Could it be that she tried her luck in a different window and passed? Perhaps due to lack of coordination between computers? Or is it my daydream?

Finally the top cop arranged for them to open another passage on Bethlehem’s side and all of a sudden there is enough manpower to open two more windows on this side of the checkpoint. The security guard is enthusiastic, remarks something to a slow woman-soldier and she warns him not to mess with her. A celebration! Many Palestinians, children, women and men, pass quickly after a checking that is remarkably shorter - so it seems. Is all this happening because they have to pass the promised quota and it’s getting closer to 11:00?

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

.