Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal), Sawahira ash Sharkiya, Sheikh Saed
6:20 Sheikh Saed
A routine day. Evidence of wall construction can be observed in the area.
Sawahirah ash-Sharkiya checkpoint
We entered the inspection point — not a soul in sight.
The door to the east is locked, but open to the west (i.e. easy entry to Jerusalem).
On the way back we noticed a shadowy figure (soldier? guard?) in the checking booth — not clear what he was up to. He got on with his business without bothering those crossing.
The crossing of vehicles was slightly more lively. One driver managed to pass the first two metal barriers, was checked by a soldier, crossed the third, but the fourth failed to open. The soldier didn't notice until another car came up, the barrier went up and both cars crossed.
Olive Terminal
Many security people milling around outside, mostly around the pedestrian exit.
We enter and exit into the parking area to the east.
A driver is washing the floor mats of his car under the faucets of the canopy in the waiting area — a kind of poetic justice. The residents of East Jerusalem, especially the neighbourhoods outside the wall, suffer from repeated water deprivation and frequent breakdowns.
Two physically fit young men jump over the barbed wire between the edge of the wall and metal barrier. Elegantly, they stride to the bus and disappear. Words cannot express the idiocy of this wall, but Israel is persuaded it provides security and prevents attacks.
Inside, only one station is working — slowly. Of course a line forms. At some point another station opens, but the first continues to be very slow.
A woman with a handicapped child in a wheelchair arrives. We didn't see how she crossed the first turnstile, but now she presses the buzzer to open the side gate to allow the passage of the wheelchair. The gate remains locked, she presses again, calls out, but the gate remains locked. After a long time someone turns up to open. Someone was there to open the first gate — so why on earth is it not possible to ascertain a smooth passage through all the turnstiles?
Finally we reach the window, and this spectacle meets our gaze: A sleepy female soldier casts a long, slow glance at the displayed documents; she operates the entire system by herself. Next to her, a soldier is sprawled on a chair, fast asleep.
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.
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Sawahira a-Sharqiya
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Sawahira a-Sharqiya
A vehicle and pedestrian checkpoint on Jerusalem’s municipal boundary.
It sits on the separation fence, separating Sawahira a Sharqiya, Sawahira al Gharbiya from Jabel Mukkabar and the rest of East Jerusalem. The checkpoint is 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 Sawahira al Gharbiya and residents of a-Sawahira a Sharqiya who have permits. Vehicles with special permits are allowed through, from Sheikh Sa’ed as well.
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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.
Yona EyalJan-7-2026Jerusalem: Nof Zion settlement within the Jabel Mukaber neighborhood
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