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Abu Dis, Container (Wadi Nar), Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal), יום ג’ 17.2.09, בוקר

Place: Abu Dis / Lazarus gate (formerly The Wicket) Container (Wadi Nar) Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal)
Tags: Detainees
Observers: Anat T., Shira V. (reporting)
Feb-17-2009
| Morning

 

7:00  Sheikh Saed

 
A medium-sized line at the entrance to the checkpoint.  Crossing was slow, but the line kept moving. When we arrived, the border-policeman (M., known to us from previous visits to be problematic in his attitude to those crossing), told us not to go to our regular observation point in the neighbourhood close to the checkpoint.  In reply to our request for an explanation he said these were the instructions of the company commander.  We explained that we always cross, but he insisted.  The exchange on the edge of the turnstile took place in an unpleasant atmosphere, and when we began making calls to clarify the matter, he asked us to step outside the checkpoint.  We refused, taking this to be an attempt to undermine our right to perform our job (but in retrospect I think we might have done better to give in at this point and move away).

 

In the meanwhile, because of this altercation, the line increased and N. (which is what the Palestinians call him) was not quite in control.  At one point he threatened to let no one cross until we moved away, but the rest of the soldiers continued to let people cross.  All this took a few minutes, then N. told us we have permission to go to our regular position, and at this point he closed the crossing point because people were crowding in the metal cages and he refused to let them cross until they had moved away to the edge of the corridors and emptied the cages.

 
The people refused and shouting on both sides ensued.  It was quite cold and drizzling. There were dozens of people there (some 50 in my estimation).  An officer named I. arrived, and in a pleasant manner managed to get the people to move back (but not as far as the required edge), and started to let them cross.  Simultaneously he asked all the school children who had arrived to form a separate line from which they crossed more rapidly.  His conduct was extremely impressive.  After a few minutes, the line disappeared.  Later we talked to him and praised his conduct, whilst berating N.'s.  We also tried to talk to N. in a pleasant manner, to make him understand that he could have saved time and nerves by behaving differently towards the Palestinians.  But to no avail.

 
8:10  Zeitim Crossing

 
Two corridors are operative, and traffic (not heavy) flows.

 
9:00  Wadi Nar

 
Traffic flowing.  A transit which had been detained for half an hour, according to the passengers, was released after some of the passengers were served summons to the Shabak (General Security Services).  It appears this was the reason for the detension.

  • Abu Dis / Lazarus gate (formerly The Wicket)

    See all reports for this place

    •  

      Abu Dis / Lazarus Checkpoint/Gate (east of the former “wicket”)

      Construction of the wall in the Abu Dis area blocked all the gaps that allowed people to cross from al-Ezariya to the neighbourhoods of Abu Dis and Ras al 'Amud that are located within Jerusalem’s municipal boundary. The Lazarus checkpoint is a gate in the wall adjacent to the Lazarus Monastery. Until 2011 it had a door for pilgrims to al-Ezariya and for the monastery’s kindergarten pupils from al-Ezariya. The crossing is currently closed, but the site has infrastructure for conducting inspections.

  • Container (Wadi Nar)

    See all reports for this place
    •  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)

       

  • Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal)

    See all reports for this place

    • A large checkpoint/crossing to the area of a-Tur, Abu Dis and the Old City; only for pedestrians. Located on Jerusalem’s municipal boundary.

      One of the major crossings in Jerusalem’s central sector. It is located on the separation fence between the northern portion of the al-Ezariya neighborhood and the neighborhood of a-Tur and the rest of East Jerusalem. It is manned by Border Police soldiers and private security companies and operates 24 hours a day. Palestinians are forbidden to go through, other than permanent residents of East Jerusalem (holders of blue ID cards) and holders of work and commercial permits who are allowed through only on foot.

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