Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal), Sawahira ash Sharkiya, Sheikh Saed
6:45 Sheikh Saed
It rained a lot yesterday. The section of the wall that was built looks very crooked. We climb up the hill and discover that the slope recently prepared for "upgrading" the checkpoint has collapsed at certain points — it seems dangerous to stand on the edge. We joke with the transportation people about falling off — into Israel.
What is no joke is the residents' complaints about many homes without water since last night. They think a pipe was damaged in the collapse; tried calling the DCO, etc. We report to the humanitarian centre and Jerusalem Envelope headquarters. The services come from the Palestinian Authority, but the water supply comes from Israel…
Sawahira ash Sharkiya
We drove there to see the aftermath of the rains. In previous years there was an enormous puddle at the entrance to the checkpoint. Not this time — the checkpoint stands like a fortress, high and dry. Two female soldiers stand behind the armoured glass — only a couple of months into their military service, and already here. They don't know who we are, and don't care.
Outside, many children wait for transportation to their schools in Jerusalem.
8:15 Olive Terminal (Ras abu Sabitan
In the dangerous game of hunters-hunted (tracing illegal residents), today the hunters are unoccupied, for tactical or other reasons. Otherwise, the checkpoint is wonderfully empty.
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.
Avital CFeb-27-2026Jerusalem, Damascus Gate: Crowd rushing to prayer
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