Abu Dis, Container (Wadi Nar), Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal), Tue 4.12.07, Afternoon
We went first to Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal). Now, with the new sheeting that totally blocks out any view of what is transpiring within the checkpoint area, we were not able to see what was going on. However, we did monitor those entering and exiting from each side. There was very little traffic. Three young people heading towards Jerusalem, two heading back towards the Palestinian side. In each case, it took about 6 minutes to get through.
We continued on to Azariah and entered the village. On our way out some 20 minutes later, there was a flying checkpoint and all those coming into the village were being stopped and checked.
The Wadi Naar crossing was manned by 5 border police (that we could see). No one was at the station for vehicles from the south — one of the b.p.'s would wave a car through and the ones behind would quickly follow before the rules changed. Traffic moved very quickly in the other direction with very few vehicles being checked.
In one instance when a car approached the checkpoint via a one way road, the driver was stopped by a b.p. and made to return, but the conversation was in quiet tones and without recriminations.
Interestingly enough, there were no workers returning during the time that we were there even though it was at the time workers usually returned home. (15:00 until 16:00 ) Otherwise, there was nothing unusual in the shift.
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.
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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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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.
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