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In order to enter Bethlehem we had to enter
through a high security building (similar to that in a high security
prison). This is the car and bus entrance (not passable for rental
cars) decorated with colorful tourism pictures on the
Israeli side.
Individual tourists and local Palestinians
(Israelis can not enter Palestine) had to enter through a secure
building where our bags were x-rayed and the officials checked
our passports and with a nod only signaled we could go
through. |
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Inside the Wall there are no colorful
tourist pictures just
stark black and white drawings that add to the prison atmosphere.
When we again entered the secure
building to exit we felt like trapped animals inside a
locked cage, there were no signs telling us where to go but
fortunately we were helped by a local lady who showed us
where to wait for the the green lights to open the
doors that allowed us to pass one by one back into freedom.
This is what individual tourists and local Palestinians must
endure daily to enter Bethlehem. It was a
dehumanizing experience.
As other members of our Rally visited
Bethlehem they returned with the same view "Tourists should
be required to visit Bethlehem when they visit Israel
because until you do that you haven't really seen Israel!" |
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Inside the Wall in Bethlehem was this
drawing on the Wall of a hand entitled:
"Five Fingers of the Same Hand" -
Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish and Christian.
It's unfortunate this sentiment can not
be remembered by both the Palestinians and the
Israelis and help to bring about a lasting peace where both
can live together side by side and not be divided by a Wall.
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