Checkpoint 300

Checkpoint 300 (Arabic: حاجز 300, romanized: Ḥājiz 300; Hebrew: מחסום 300, romanized: Machsom 300), also known as the Bethlehem checkpoint, the Gilo Checkpoint, or the Rachel's Tomb checkpoint, is a major Israeli checkpoint run by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and located at one of the main exits of Bethlehem. It is the best known of all Israeli checkpoints, due to its use by large amounts of Palestinian commuters as well as its location on the tourist route between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. As of September 2025, Checkpoint 300 remains open, one of three checkpoints that allows people with Palestinian Authority ID cards (and work permits) to cross into Israel. However, entry requirements have been tightened in recent years; only children under the age of 12, women over the age of 50, and men over the age of 55 are allowed through. As of July 2025, it is also the only checkpoint permitted for use by employees of the United States government, due to inconsistent closures at other checkpoints.