Container (Wadi Nar), Sheikh Saed, Silwan
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The new checkpoint building is not yet in use. They must be waiting for the end of winter to upgrade the residents' protection from the rain. The security road was completed first, and the fence has been replaced by concrete walls. We were not permitted to enter the new checkpoint area, but we suspect that the steep steps will impede access of baby buggies, or the elderly and the handicapped. Aside from that, all is in working order: small children cross without documents or inspection, for the rest documents are checked unless the soldiers are already familiar with the owners. We did not see any elderly persons without documents crossing, although we had been told that the over 60's may cross without permits. Do the residents know of this?
7:30 Silwan
In the morning hours this explosive neighbourhood almost always appears calm. There are no checkpoints, either for exit or entrance. Vehicles park in any or every available space, narrowing even more the already narrow routes. Traffic of settlers, both pedestrian and motorized, is much in evidence.
8:15 Wadi Nar
A traffic jam from Ma'aleh Adumim to the Az-Za'ayyem checkpoint has formed. Changes in traffic: at the roundabout in Al Ezariya, where one turns left into the road leading to Wadi Nar, there's a large new station for "transits", which in effect renders driving round the roundabout impossible. In Wadi Nar there are renovations. The soldiers don't know what is planned, perhaps widening the road and upgrading the soldiers' buildings, including the station which is the governor's home on the hill. A pair of dogs with their cute puppies are sunning themselves. At this point they're attacking no one, only playing with each other.
When we returned, the traffic jam in the direction of Az-Za'ayyem had loosened.
Container (Wadi Nar)
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Wadi Nar Checkpoint ("Container", "The Kiosk") - a barrier for vehicles in Area B that is regularly manned - east of Abu Dis between Sawahra A Sharqiya and Bethlehem and its daughters. Controls Palestinian movement between the north and south West-Bank. Includes driving routes, access roads, spikes, traffic lights and signs. There is no pedestrian crossing. Open 24 hours a day with random checks enhanced on security alerts. The checkpoint is in Palestinian territory, allowing for separation between the north and the south Palestinian areas when necessary.
In 2015, the leading road from Azaria to Bethlehem was renovated, as well as the steep and narrow ascent to the Wadi Nar checkpoint, which was dangerously travelled in both directions! The temporary checkpoint was renovated and expanded, and pedestrian traffic was banned. From 2016, traffic travelling from the south bank to Azaria was directed to a one-way road near the Southern Keydar Jewish settlement.
Machsomwatch shifts visit this far-fetched checkpoint only occasionally.
(updated to July 2019)
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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.
Anat TuegMay-20-2026Nabi 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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