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Abu Dis, Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal), Sheikh Saed, Silwan, Tue 26.6.12, Morning

Place: Abu Dis / Lazarus gate (formerly The Wicket) Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal) Sheikh Sa'ed Silwan
Observers: Idit S., Ya'ara (visitor), Anat T. (reporting)
Jun-26-2012
| Morning

  

6:45 Sheikh Saed Checkpoint
 
Once again we encountered the chronic problem of crossing the checkpoint to the hill above in order to observe and meet those waiting.  The soldiers are new and know nothing of our organisation, ditto those on duty in the enveloping headquarters who had never heard of our observations.  At police and border-police headquarters, on the other hand, they are certain that we are not allowed to cross, and require a direct order from the DCO — which is not open at this hour.  We persist, and call headquarters of the Civil Administration, asking to speak to the officer on duty.  It takes a while until the border-police area commander arrives.  He already knows, and we cross and return.  This is the last week of municipal elementary schools and there is little traffic.
 
8:00 Drive through Silwan
 
Somehow it seems to us that there are more Israeli flags flying in the neighbourhood, but a local resident tells us there are no new settlers' buildings.  Work near City of David continues apace, and in the area close to the playground evacuated about two months ago we see a space intended for exit from the tourist route of City of David, located under Palestinian homes.
 
8:30 Olive Terminal
 
The condition of the toilets is appalling.  The checkpoint commander tells us that the pipes and toilets had been broken, therefore there is no water, and no cleaning.  He has asked for a budget of thousands of shekels to fix things ahead of Ramadan.
 
At the checkpoint only one booth is open, aside from the one leading to the DCO which no one is using. A line of some 20-25 is moving slowly — 30 minutes at least to cross.  After we called the checkpoint commander, a second booth was opened and things speeded up until the line disappeared.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

  • Abu Dis / Lazarus gate (formerly The Wicket)

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    •  

      Abu Dis / Lazarus Checkpoint/Gate (east of the former “wicket”)

      Construction of the wall in the Abu Dis area blocked all the gaps that allowed people to cross from al-Ezariya to the neighbourhoods of Abu Dis and Ras al 'Amud that are located within Jerusalem’s municipal boundary. The Lazarus checkpoint is a gate in the wall adjacent to the Lazarus Monastery. Until 2011 it had a door for pilgrims to al-Ezariya and for the monastery’s kindergarten pupils from al-Ezariya. The crossing is currently closed, but the site has infrastructure for conducting inspections.

  • Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal)

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    • A large checkpoint/crossing to the area of a-Tur, Abu Dis and the Old City; only for pedestrians. Located on Jerusalem’s municipal boundary.

      One of the major crossings in Jerusalem’s central sector. It is located on the separation fence between the northern portion of the al-Ezariya neighborhood and the neighborhood of a-Tur and the rest of East Jerusalem. It is manned by Border Police soldiers and private security companies and operates 24 hours a day. Palestinians are forbidden to go through, other than permanent residents of East Jerusalem (holders of blue ID cards) and holders of work and commercial permits who are allowed through only on foot.

  • Sheikh Sa'ed

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    • A checkpoint limited to pedestrians, located on Jerusalem’s municipal boundary.

      The checkpoint sits on the separation fence at the entrance to Sheikh Sa’ad, dividing it from its neighbourhood of Jabel Mukkabar. It’s manned by Border Police soldiers and private security companies and operates 24 hours a day. Palestinians are forbidden to go through, other than residents of Jabel Mukkabar or Sheikh Sa'ad who have permits. Both groups are permitted through only on foot. Residents of East Jerusalem who don’t live in Jabel Mukkabar are also allowed to cross to Sheikh Sa’ad, but not in the opposite direction; they must return through the Sawahira ash Sharqiya checkpoint.

      נבי סמואל. כך נראים המגורים בכפר מובלעת בלי היתרי בנייה או שיפוץ
      Anat Tueg
      May-20-2026
      Nabi Samwil. This is what living conditions look like in an enclave village without building or renovation permits
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  • Silwan

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    • Silwan is south of the Old City of Jerusalem and has become one of the main confrontation areas with settlers.

       

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