Back to reports search page

Abu Dis, Container (Wadi Nar), Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal), Sheikh Saed, Mon 15.12.08, Morning

Observers: Rina R., Maya B.( reporting)
Dec-15-2008
| Morning
6:30  Sheikh  Saed

 Before  we  even  reach  Sheike Saed  we  meet  some  men  in  a  van  who  tell us  to  go  there  fast  because  people  are  waiting  for  hours  to  go  through the  C.P.  We  rush  there  and  are  told  that  people  have  waited  for  one  and  a  half   to two  hours  to  get  in .The  reason  being  that  the  soldiers   have  decided  this  morning  to  have  a  very  thorough  check  up  on  every  man  who  comes  in.  The  soldier  who  does  the  check  writes  down  the  past  and  present  history  of  each  person.

Minutes  after  we  get  there  this  is  over  and  all the  men  left, a  fairly  large  line,  go  through  within  minutes.  I  call  the  DCO  of  Sheich  Saed  and  report  the   unnecessary    procedure  which  drives  the  workers  crazy.  The  three soldiers  seem  totaly  incompetent  even  for  that  job.  All the  Palestiniens  tell us  that  as  soon  as  we  arrived  the  attitude  and  procedure  changed.
We  decide  to  be  there  next  week  at  5:30.

Abu  Dis

 Zeitun  and  Wadi  Nar  are  practically  deserted.  At  Wadi  Nar  there  are  new   and  wide   roads,  new  barriers  painted  green !!  few  soldiers  and  except  for  a  student  bus  all cars  go  through  undisturbed.

The  place  looks like  a  terminal  under  construction.
  • 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.

  • Sheikh Sa'ed

    See all reports for this place
    • A checkpoint limited to pedestrians, located on Jerusalem’s municipal boundary.

      The checkpoint sits on the separation fence at the entrance to Sheikh Sa’ad, dividing it from its neighbourhood of Jabel Mukkabar. It’s manned by Border Police soldiers and private security companies and operates 24 hours a day. Palestinians are forbidden to go through, other than residents of Jabel Mukkabar or Sheikh Sa'ad who have permits. Both groups are permitted through only on foot. Residents of East Jerusalem who don’t live in Jabel Mukkabar are also allowed to cross to Sheikh Sa’ad, but not in the opposite direction; they must return through the Sawahira ash Sharqiya checkpoint.

      ירושלים, שער שכם: קהל ממהר לתפילה
      Avital C
      Feb-27-2026
      Jerusalem, Damascus Gate: Crowd rushing to prayer
Donate