Abu-Dis Monday, 22.5.2006, PMZipi A., Judy O.Abu-Dis – The area near the gas station is virtually deserted – no pedestrians, no military presence except for two soldiers lounging disinterestedly on the opposite side of the road. A few Palestinians working on the wall with security men nearby. At The Pishpash, only one or two pedestrians crossing. There were three soldiers sitting on the other side of the wall checking papers, and who, according to the residents we spoke to there, were very decent and even helpful. Only a very few people were passing in either direction. We walked up through the church grounds to the wall at the end – here there was a jeep and a few soldiers and workers. The wall is nearly complete and apparently will run along the existing wall of the church grounds. We spoke to a soldier who seemed sympathetic to the complications of the situation and its effect on the lives of so many Palestinians. He informed us that the problematic time at Abu-Dis was at about 4 or 5 AM. when the many Palestinians arrive from great distances and want to cross over to Israel to work. Then there tension and even violence. It seems that a shift of Machsomwatch should go out at this time to check out this situation. (I would be prepared to – with company of course!) Zeitim CP – Almost deserted – one or two pedestrians. Taxi drivers (from Abu-Dis) lying around with no work. Again we were told that many people cross back into Jerusalem at Jabl Mukaber where there is a small checkpoint – more humane, said the drivers.We also saw quite a few workers running below across the valley away from Jerusalem in order to avoid the Zeitim CP. This we have seen every time we are there – it is not clear if they can actually be seen from the watchtower at Zeitim CP.We did not continue to The Container this time.