Thousands attended yesterday (Saturday night) and today (Sunday) participate in the celebration of the day of the death of our mother Rachel, at Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem.
Throughout the night, buses arrived at the fenced grave complex and led the participants to prayer at the site, and this is expected to continue throughout the day.
Police spokeswoman
This is one of the biggest celebrations since the Meron disaster and the police and the Holy Places Authority have not taken any risks, both because of the corona and because of the fear of overcrowding.
In contrast to Meron, the Rachel's Tomb complex, an enclave inside Bethlehem, can only be reached by bus, and the police have banned more than 800 people from entering the place at the same time.
This is a dramatically lower number than the thousands who would have entered the place in previous years.
Shuttles to Rachel's Tomb, Photo: Police Spokeswoman
In order to make order in the commotion, it was decided that the mornings would arrive at the parking lot of Teddy Stadium and from there board shuttles to the Rachel's Tomb complex.
Bus density was reported yesterday, as the number of arrivals is much greater than those who can physically enter the complex.
Both the site management and the police clarified that there will be major delays in arriving at Rachel's Tomb due to the need to regulate the participants.
In addition, checkpoints were set up in the Gilo neighborhood in order to prevent people from reaching the checkpoint at the entrance to Bethlehem.
Hundreds of policemen and border guards, with the help of ushers, are in charge of maintaining public order and security, and the police asked the masses to be patient. The police clarified that From the Teddy Stadium complex.
In view of the existing safety limit and the number of people in the place, the number of people staying inside the grave complex will be limited at any given time.
Police instructions:
Access to the Zion complex will be via line 663 only, which will be available to the public frequently, in the Teddy parking lot only.
Access to the Teddy car park will be possible by private car or by public transport (lines: 5, 6, 9, 14, 18, 31, 33, 77 / 77a).
In addition, line 31A from the nation's buildings will be operated directly to the Teddy parking lot and back.
Private buses will be directed to Teddy Stadium, from where passengers will be transported via an array of shuttles.
Entrance to the Rachel's Tomb complex will be allowed for scheduled organized commuters and wheelchair-assisted disabled people.
Pedestrian traffic will not be allowed along the bus route, between the Rosemary Junction and Rachel's Tomb.
Blockades in Jerusalem, Photo: Police Spokeswoman
Due to the expected traffic loads during the revelry days, it is recommended that passengers in the Gilo area travel on the 50th axis, Begin South.
Hebron Road Junction - Rosemary will be blocked.
For travelers to Har Homa, it is recommended to travel on the road through Hebron.
Vehicles will not be allowed to move from the Rosemary Junction towards the Rachel's Tomb complex.
Vehicles will not be allowed to be parked on Rosemary Street and Hebron Road, and traffic will be enforced there.
Vehicles parked in forbidden places / will interfere with traffic - will be towed.
The Rosemary Junction from the Tunnels Junction and the Tantor Junction are expected to be closed alternately, depending on the traffic congestion at the site.
The police emphasize to everyone on the island of revelry: one should arrive only through the organized transportation system allocated for the purpose of orderly arrival at the grave site.
Follow the instructions of the police and ushers on the spot and do not walk or stand in the traffic lanes of vehicles in the area.
It is forbidden to fly skimmers in the compound.
