Sheikh Saed, Abu-Dis, Zeitim CP Friday 07.09/ 2007, AM Claire O, Barbara S observing and reportingSheikh Saed – When we arrive at about 09:00, only a small group of elderly women are waiting in the hope of getting permission to enter Jerusalem for Friday prayers. One of them says (and looks as if) she has an eye infection. After some negotiating the checkpoint commander agrees to let her pass, “because it’s you”, a rare display of flexibility in a place where this phenomenon has all but vanished. But the sudden appearance of a higher ranking officer changes everything – the woman is sent back to Sheikh Saed with the claim that she comes to the CP every day and that the eye infection is just a subterfuge.The newly arrived officer organizes a short exercise the precise content and purpose of which are impenetrable to our civilian minds and eyes. By 09:45 a larger number of men in holiday clothes have assembled in front of the grocery store, hoping for good luck.Interestingly, several BP who are serving at the CP agree that their presence serves no security purpose whatsoever and that Israel stands to gain nothing from denying a number of frail, old people the possibility to pray in Jerusalem – but then, there are orders…A frustrated older man asks what the purpose of our presence is if we can’t help.Abu-Dis – There are no Palestinians in sight, but the BP proudly tell us about their colleague who assisted in the birth of a child two hours prior to our arrival. “This is how the Border Police helps people”. The festive occasion made us swallow all cynical comments on this statement. Back in Sheikh Saed – We inquire about intentions on the side of the army/BP to introduce special measures to make things easier for people during Ramadan. The CP commander thinks there are no such plans