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Abu Dis, Container (Wadi Nar), Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal), Sheikh Saed, Wed 13.8.08, Morning

Observers: Anat T., Keren S. (Technion student writing a dissertation on the fence), Shira V. (reporting)
Aug-13-2008
| Morning

7:15 Sheikh Sa'ad

The checkpoint is calm and traffic is very sparse.

 
8:30 Zeitim Crossing

We entered the checkpoint.  Only one track was open and crossing was very slow.  Within a few minutes 30 people had gathered.  We called the checkpoint commander.  He said there was an "inner problem" and that another track would be opened.  After a few minutes, it was opened. Altogether 25 minutes passed from our arrival to the opening.  Even after that crossing was slow.


 
Gregory arrived to talk to us and explain that the x-ray machine in the second track was not working and that he had to fix it (waiting for the technicians can take a few days).

 
All this while the track to the DCO was open, and a few people next to it were waiting.  One of them told us that the DCO serves only the residents of Ezariya, and that all the residents of Abu Dis and the rest of the surroundings must travel to Jericho for service.  We will look into this in the coming weeks.

 
During our conversation with Gregory a man arrived to say he was a resident of the Old City (by dint of family reunions, originally he's from Hebron), and that his biometric on that day did not work.  We referred him to Hebron to arrange the biometric again, this after he had done so, he says, a month and half ago.  As a gesture of goodwill to our presence, Gregory allowed him to cross to Jerusalem today, telling him that before his next entry he would have to arrange the matter in Hebron.  We did not receive a satisfactory answer to oour question whether and how a biometric could be arranged at the Zeitim Crossing DCO.

10:00 Wadi Nar


Traffic is sparse, and flowing.  The checkpoint appears calm and quiet.


 

  • Abu Dis / Lazarus gate (formerly The Wicket)

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    •  

      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)

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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)

       

  • Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal)

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    • 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

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    • 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.

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