Zeitim CP, Al-Ezariya, Container, Abu-DisTuesday AM 14.3.2006Observers: Hanna A., Michaelia R. (reporting)Summary: Purim closure? a joke. Many entered Jerusalem freely – obviously the main point was to lull the public into feeling secure.In Abu Dis the enclosing wall is nearing completion. Few cross at the Zeitim CP.6:30 Zeitim CPFew cross, mostly workmen. We saw people detouring the checkpoint through the nearby hills, among them many children who may cross through the checkpoint but prefer not to – for the obvious reasons.6:50 Al-EzariyaNo line. A minibus and “transit” are delayed. The minibus was released immediately after our arrival but the “transit” only 25 minutes later. When we inquired about the prolonged delay, we were told that a routine police check was under way, and that it was not unduly prolonged. After that we saw one of the border policemen pick up the pile of IDs sitting in the jeep long after the check was over. He whistled to the driver demeaningly and returned the documents.The rest of the vehicles were given a quick check, 5-10 minutes.Traffic is thin, trucks mostly absent.7:30 ContainerA line of about 10 vehicles from the direction of Sawahre, winding beyong the bend in the road from the direction of Bethlehem. 12-15 minute wait. Pedestrians fed up with waiting in the vehicles crossed the checkpoint without checks.An argument between the driver and the DCO representative arose. First the officer claimed that the driver was using the forbidden road. The driver explained that there is an agreement with the Civillian Administration to the effect that residents of Sawahre are permitted to visit homes east of the checkpoint. The officer replied that he should have waited all the same (though there was no line at that moments) because he has no special privileges, and was culpable of crashing through the checkpoint. We sensed that this argument was a male issue, and preferred to move away quietly and let the men back down more readily in our absence.Abu DisThe concrete blocks of the wall in the upper Pishpash have been moved eastward towards the aluminium shop, and a tractor encroached onto the monastery yard. Security guards and military policemen with a dog are there mainly to protect people. Those wishing to cross are directed to the monastery courtyard, and no security checks are performed.On the eastern side of the courtyard, close to the nunnery, the wall is nearing completion. A small section abuts on the nuns’ kindergarten, and a longer U-shaped section surrounds the archaeological site part of which has been destroyed. Here too a tractor is at work.Although it was to be expected, the sights are hard to bear. The eastern neighbrouhoods of the city, populated by Palestinians and providing health and education services to the West Bank, are being closed off. The disengagement is turning into a fait accompli. And in the midst of all this a profusion of winter anemones and spring poppies. The monstery yard is a colourful tapestry of flowers, crushed and dessicated by the tractors.