Container (Wadi Nar)
Container
We left at about 7.00 but , not having been to the container for quite a few years, I directed Hedva to the old road and found that the Palestinians coming from the container had been cut off. The old road is basically only for the settlers of Kedar. So what else is new. We met a lady who offered to come back with us and show us how to get through al-Azariya. Of course not so good a road.
We arrived at the shop where the lady told us that all was quiet. We then walked towards the checkpoint and three soldiers came towards us , enquiring politely what we were doing there. We said that we were from Machsomwatch and I said that I had been there many years before. Then I remember we saw cars going all the way down the ascent waiting to be checked. And also the Palestinian workers running up the hill hoping to avoid the soldiers and to get to work.
They were polite and pleasant and said that basically they did not check the cars going through unless there was an emergency or there had been a terrorist attack. We did not stay long.
Whenever I go to checkpoints which have been closed such as Hawarra and this checkpoint which is being run under easier conditions…..even if not open…I wonder why life had been made so unpleasant in those areas for Palestinians having to pass through. Maybe because the security forces have found other ways of doing so nowadays and in other areas?
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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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