Sheikh Saed, Abu-Dis,Zeitim CP Friday, 15.06.2007, AMClaire O. and Barbara S. observing and reportingSheikh Saed – Total closure.Since the violent incident about a month ago in which to the best of our knowledge no local residents were involved, the people of Sheikh Saed have had to pay the price, losing even the last pathetic bit of “freedom” that used to be granted to some of them: not even extremely old people are allowed on Fridays to cross into Jerusalem for prayers. A 90 year-old man who comes here every weekend pleads and waits and finally loses his temper, also getting angry with us, increasing our frustration with our powerlessness and our role as mere spectators here. Attempts to convince the commander to display a little bit of flexibility remain unsuccessful. In the case of the 90 year-old, he even tells C. that he did some research into the case and found the following shocking information: the man is lying when he says he needs to go to the hospital. The truth is, he wants to go to pray! Among the people who are assembled above the checkpoint by the houses, a mixture of gallows humor and bitterness prevails.C. mentions Uday’s proposal to have the village council meet with Elisha and present him with a list of elderly people who regularly try to come to Jerusalem for Friday services, hinting that an arrangement might be found. This idea does not meet with enthusiasm here, since “there’s no free lunch” – people expect that they would have to “do something” in return… Abu-Dis (bawwabe) – Not a single person trying to pass.A BP tells us that it is likely to take at least another year until the Supreme Court decision to move the wall in order for it to include several buildings whose residents have Jerusalem IDs will be implemented. Zeitim CP – Very few people, all equipped with the necessary documents, come to the checkpoint.