Jerusalem - East
21/10/2010 ,Morning
Shosh H., Yehudith S., Michaelia R. (reporting)
Wadi Nar
Traffic flowing. Stray dogs of all sizes, ages and colours roaming around -- scary!!!
Az-Za'ayyim
As soon as we arrived, a guard came up and with excessive courtesy "invited" us to stand in the shade. We declined politely.
An elderly border policeman sits cross-legged on one of the concrete blocks and once in while "interviews" Palestinians.
Passengers from the buses descend, stand in line in the corridor and undergo the check -- this time by a civilian guard!? Meanwhile the cross-legged b.p. summons us, investigates us and orders one of his inferiors to report "3 from human rights". After pondering deeply he reaches the conclusion that if it's only 3 then "this is not an illegal demonstration" and we are asked to return to where we stood initially.
Then came the order not to film. We produce our documents from the IDF spokeperson, but they don't specify the word "crossing" and this immediately becomes the pretext to reject the permit. After a short argument during which it was clarified that the permit refers to any "crossing" he demanded yet again a report of our doings.
A blue policeman confronts several other policemen wearing very dark blue (almost black) uniforms. One of them curses him loudly and in language we refrain from repeating. A propos of raising police consciousness of appropriate service? A shameful spectacle.
20/10/2010 ,Afternoon
Yael I. , Ilana D. (reporting)
2:30 PM till 5:30 PM
We changed our routine somewhat and didn’t go to Sheikh Saed this week. Instead we took the road down from Abu Tor past the newly built Jewish complex into the valley and encountered a great amount of border police on every corner.
We didn’t want to enter the controversial area of Silwan, but nevertheless were hit with a tiny stone, which fortunately didn’t cause too much damage (the car is no longer new). We hurried away and noted that in Ras el-Amud the construction in the old police compound is going apace.
On top of the pillbox near the Pishpash is a new huge instrument, probably in order to survey the surroundings.
We entered the Olive Terminal without being noticed by the soldiers who were scrutinizing a computer.
The cab- drivers offered us rides and had no idea who we were and why we were there.
On the way back (into Israel) there were only a few people in front of us. However a lady who is an Israeli resident in possession of a blue ID card, but had never been past a checkpoint yet had a small knife in her purse. The queue was held up and the woman was shouted at and told that she would be slapped if she didn’t behave. She had been on a condolence visit to a cousin over the green line and had brought a girlfriend along. We were all ordered to pass via another lane and wondered what would happen to the lady in question who had never had to show her bags before – quite incomprehensible.
The metal detector is quite delicate and we even had to remove our watches. After we all had gone through the lady still had not been released and her friend asked us for assistance. We called the soldier, but he didn’t hear us and then the lady came out from another gate. We were thanked profusely, not for doing anything, but for our good intentions.
In A-Zaim it looked as if there were more cars than usual. The grocery store now has been ‘reinforced’ by a kind of cage, apparently after a burglary last month.
The girl soldier at the checkpoint was chatting with a friend and had not noticed from where we had exited. We continued along the old road and marveled at the construction and terrain-leveling which was taking place to construct the new terminal/checkpoint in Anata which will replace Hizme after the apartheid road for the settlers has been completed.
In Sheikh Jarrah there is no longer a tent. Two ‘ecumenicals’, a girl from Sweden and a boy from Finland were chatting and taking pictures. A young inhabitant who remembered us from a former visit was writing a report for UNWRA re ‘women in war situations’ about her feelings of being uprooted and thrown out of her house, but claimed she could not concentrate, sitting on the street with an ‘audience’.
The kids were playing in the street and a young settler walked smack through the circle of sympathizers. Someone asked him whether he has no manners, but he didn’t seem to mind.
14/10/2010 ,Morning
Judith S., Michaelia R.
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It took me 20 minutes to cross.
People in the line mentioned that they had come from the Bethlehem 300 where it was a difficult morning.
Wadi Nar
Traffic flows unimpeded. Construction in Kedar is progressing rapidly.
Az-Za'ayyem
We had a phone call to alert us that there were harrassments, some verging on the sexual. When we arrived at 8:00 most of the minibuses had crossed and we noticed nothing unusual.
13/10/2010 ,Morning
Netanya G., Anat T.
7:15 Sheikh Saed
Judging by the emptiness on the hill above the checkpoint -- where groups of boys and girls congregated over the High Holidys because they were not granted their permits by the administration, and were not always allowed to cross to school -- it would appear that these problems are over. But others remain, the kind of which we wrote about to the Civilian Administration. For instance, a general question: why do pupils under the age of 16 require a special permit, and why is a letter from the school they attend not sufficient?
The Civilian Administration has not yet replied. 
Otherwise, crossing is quick, but we must not forget all the restrictions imposed on residents of the neighbourhood who carry blue ID's (to say nothing of green ID's whose owners can go nowhere for any purpose without the most precise official permits), restrictions such as on travel by car to Jerusalem, the impossibility of reaching Sawahara, no crossing at the checkpoint for visitors from other neighbourhoods including Jabel Mukhabar. In all these cases they are required to drive via the distant Zeitim Crossing -- 40 minutes over mostly bad roads.
7:45 Silwan
We felt compelled to inspect the blockages in this explosive area today. All the way from the south the road is strewn with large and medium-sized rocks.
Despite the minister's declaration about sending in large numbers of reinforcements and mistaravim we did not see any massive presence in the streets -- perhaps he hasn't gotten round to it yet, or perhaps we failed to see them because the soldiers were disguised.
Work on Ein Hilweh Str. continues, and traffic is allowed only into the neighbourhood. Two policemen stand above, at the intersection with the road beneath the city walls, but they don't check or stop vehicles leaving the neighbourhood.
Near the City of David, in addition to the security guard, there is a policeman and a border policeman, as well as two private guards (of the municipality). They are in charge of turning back vehicles wishing to enter the neighbourhood. This included, while we were there, an enormous security vehicle belonging to the settlers (at our expense!) which was turned back, to enter from another street to the west. Judging by the intensity of the arguments with the guards, and the responses of the private guards, it was only the presence of the assertive policeman that prevented free passage.
To conclude: everything appeared no different from the previous week, only more quiet (surely the residents must be very frightened after yesterday's visit), but the situation can change in an instant, and there is enough man-power to block all exits and entrances to the neighbourhood.
8:45 Zeitim Crossing
Clean as always; empty as always; the female soldiers rather less loud; only one passage open and no more needed for the present -- but the routes keep changing (#1 closes, move to #2, a few minutes later #2 closes, move back to #1. Why? Move to #1 and no questioning).
Two new signs have been put up: one in Arabic directing pupils to cross at #3 in the morning, and another to the DCO at #4 saying that the checkpoint's policy is to provide service. (See photos).
The magnometer beeps continuously , also when a 4-year old with no bag crosses, and she turns back to her mother in embarrassment, not knowing what to do next. Should she remove the ribbon in her hair? But the female soldiers are relentless -- for security reasons no doubt...
07/10/2010 ,Morning
Yehudith S., Michaela R.
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06/10/2010 ,Afternoon
Orit Y., Ruth O. (reporting)
14:00-17:00
Sheikh Saed
Driving down through Jebel Mukabr we noted that the garbage containers were overflowing and the streets were filthy - the responsibility of the Jerusalem Municipality. Huge potholes make driving hazardous and difficult. It should be noted that the garbage is cleared on Thursdays and the last two Thursday were both holidays.
We entered through the checkpoint into Sheikh Saed and heard the usual complaints of the loitering men who voiced their frustration about feeling choked, their lack of employment and their isolation from the outside world.
In Abu Dis there is more graffiti on the wall, but nothing else had changed.
Wadi Nar
In Wadi Nar the traffic flowed unhindered in both directions.
A young man asked us for a lift to Kedar from where he continues on foot to his home in the desert. He reaches the Wadi Nar checkpoint by taxi and although he is only thirty years old, it is enough to obtain a permit to work in the construction of our homeland in Maaleh Adumim.
On the way back, at the roundabout at the entrance to Maaleh Adumim is a long line of vehicles from the direction of El Azzariya. Not one of those entering Maaleh Adumim even considers waiting a minute to ease the pressure somewhat; the "Lords of the Land!"
05/10/2010 ,Afternoon
Chana G., Rahel W., (reporting)
Olive Terminal
We went by way of A Tur and the Olive Terminal. The Olive Terminal was, as usual at this time in the afternoon (about 2:00 p.m.), almost deserted.
Azariah continues to bustle and develop. The once neglected, potholed main road is now four lanes with an esplanade (planted with trees and flowers) in the middle, refurbished buildings along the sides of the road, traffic signs, and signs of development and pride.
En route to Wadi Nar, we saw signs pointing toward Qedar South. Could it be that there will be more building there as well as in the "mother colony"?
When we arrived at Wadi Nar, at about 2:45, there was a huge back up of vehicles such as we hadn't seen in months. Obviously, there had just been a change of personnel during which traffic was stopped, because within minutes, all vehicles were passed through without delay and without more than a brief glance (if that). For the first time in a long time, we saw some workers discharged. (Perhaps this is because the freeze is formally over and Palestinians are again being employed).
As has been the case for months, the shift at Wadi Nar is quite uneventful and seems to be perfunctory at best.
30/09/2010 ,Morning
Shosh H., Michaela R. (reporting)
Simchat Torah
Sheikh Saed
General: Closure since onset of Succot. Border police working by the book, in slow motion.
One of the boys, crossing the checkpoint after a long wait, says:
"You have Simchat Torah [the Joy of the Torah]. And what have we got?"
7:10
Some 25 are waiting inside the corridor, mostly pupils. Inspection is excruciatingly slow -- documents, bags, and long pauses betwixt and between. Waiting time: 7-10 minutes.
A pregnanat woman who asked to cross without magnometer check is made to wait a long time.
Around 7:30 the turnstile opens and some 10 pupils cross without inspection. Only the very young ones are exempt from inspections.
A line forms again.
A border policeman joins the team -- where was he till now?
A new torment begins: each time the magnometer beeps the pupil is made to remove one more object or one more garment until the policeman is satisfied. In the past, pupils crossed without special attention.
A young woman, accompanied by two more, arrives. She can barely stand, is squirming with pain,sits/crouches while her companions present the documents and bags for inspection. After crossing the checkpoint, the three wait another 10 minutes for the arrival of the ambulance. Is the regulation prohibiting vehicles from crossing, also in emergencies such as this, in accord with the High Court injunction regarding "the fabric of life" of residents of Sheikh Saed?
By 7:50 the line disappears. The last of the pupils are very likely late for school.
28/09/2010 ,Morning
Anat T., Mili M. (reporting)
Succot holiday. Closure.
7:00 Sheikh Saed
Along the road we saw many children on their way to school before 7:00 a.m.
At the CP we met a 14-year old, prevented by the soldier from crossing because his permit was not on the school's official paper (but was stamped by the Jerusalem municipality). A few minutes later we were surrounded by 6 youths, 4 fourteen years old and 2 sixteen, holding permits from school as well as ID's and birth certificates, and the soldier would not let them cross. The day before he had allowed them to cross.
Anat called the Jerusalem Envelope Operations Headquarters, and A. tried to help, she took the details and tried to find out about the status of these permits. Since this took a long time and the boys were likely to be late for school, Anat called the Jerusalem Envelope Commander, Offer, who was on holiday in the north but said he would take care of the matter. One of the boys connected us with the headmaster of his school who said the permits had been delayed because of High Holidays and will be issued on Sunday.
Finally Anat got back to A. who said that the 2 sixteen-year olds already had permits which they must pick up (we hope their school can tell them where to do this), and that the fourteen-year olds, according to her, do not require such permits.
We went up to the checkpoint where a border-policeman had turned up (probably sent there by Offer). He explained that on the permit of one of the boys it said he had completed 12th grade, and could not be allowed to cross, but an exception would be made for this one time. After checking the documents of all the rest, he let them cross. By then it was 8:30! One of the boys had given up and gone home, losing a day of school because of the arbitrary obstinacy of the soldier on duty, or because of obscure regulations, or because of our holidays.
7:40 Silwan
Large rocks were scattered along the road, probably used during the recent riots.
Towards Ein-Hilweh there was a traffic jam. An army vehicle with police personnel had stopped the flow of traffic to make way for a procession of settlers, evidently bringing a Torah scroll. One of the policemen asked if we had a car, and told us we could cross. Simple and quite open: crossing for Jews is permitted because there is no concern they might disturb the procession. "Jews too have rights" said the policeman, to which we replied: "Jews have more rights." "This is a Jewish state" was his triumphant reply (which is precisely why the Palestinians are unwilling to recognize Israel as a Jewish state!). Although it's possible to leave the village by another route, the residents of the street were not allowed to return to their homes by car. But a carful of unmistakably Jewish passengers can pass without being stopped.
Anat called the police when one of the policemen asked to see an order permitting residents to pass after checking their addresses on ID's. She was told that such an order had been given and that a policeman would be sent to take care of it.
A Palestinian woman refused to move her car and insisted on her right to reach her home. But she gave in when the policeman was about to fine her for obstructing traffic. We had to leave as tempers flared and one of the Palestinians shouted: "This is recism."
On the way back we called Hagit Afran, and the police spokesperson, as well as the office of the Jerusalem police commander, Franko, to express our protest about the shameful management, and to warn that an explosive situation was building up.
21/09/2010 ,Morning
Nava A., Itzik (visitor), Anat T. (reporting)
6:50 Sheikh Saed
Not many crossing today, and passage is fast. We stayed to check whether all the problems were solved for youngsters over 16 crossing to school, in Jabel Mukhaber, but who have not yet received pupils' permits from the administration.
We met only one 12th grade pupil who had not yet received this permit although he had applied, he said, long ago. Elad, the DCO representative who is always willing to help with our inquiries, took the lad's name and details, and also referred us to Amos, the officer for public requests in the civil administration. We haven't been able to get hold of him yet, probably because of the holidays. Meanwhile, the lad crossed with a school permit, and we hope this can continue until the matter is resolved.
At the request of a resident of Sheikh Saed, we checked whether a teacher from a school in Jabel Mukhaber, holding a blue ID, can visit a sick pupil living in Sawaharra without a special permit. The answer, according to the DCO, is negative. Only Sawaharra residents holding blue ID's (according to a list) may enter or leave the place -- no one else. The answer is to travel from Sheikh Saed to Sawaharra along the road which the security system intends to build in the future...
7:15 Silwan
This morning Silwan is peaceful. The two pairs of policemen standing near City of David and Wadi Hilwah Street leading to the walls do not interfere with the flowing traffic. In retrospect, this is the quiet before the storm.
8:00 The former Pishpash -- Lazarus Crossing
We stopped to look at the architectural monstrosity of the wall splitting the neighbourhood, and then a nun turned to us and told us that the police commander of the Jerusalem zone had told a Vatican delegate at their meeting that the crossing (into which millions had been poured) will be closed at the start of the school year. The many kindergarten children arriving from Al-Ezariya will also have to acquire special permits and travel through the Olive Terminal. Too complicated and time-consuming? Let them go to a kindergarten on the other side of the wall... Formerly the crossing would open twice a day, at 8 in the morning and at noon when the kids return, and the nuns would come to take them from the gate to the kindergarten, and vice-versa. It appears that this arrangement was a serious threat to security... We will submit a protest in this matter to Hanna Barag.
8:30 Wadi Nar
We drove along the new two-lane road from Al-Ezariya which ends where the ascent to Wadi Nar begins, and beyond that there is no entry for cars. This means that Palestinians cannot reach Wadi Nar from the north, but must detour and wind through the neighbourhood of Al-Ezariya to reach the checkpoint.
At the checkpoint the soldiers are pleasant, they don't bother the crossing vehicles, at least not while we were there.
On the way back we inquire about the impending closure and, indeed, as every year, the closure will end at the end of Succot, Saturday night, October 2nd.
