Abu Dis, Container (Wadi Nar), Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal), Wed 20.2.08, Afternoon
Container CP, 14:55
Light traffic only, most vehicles just waved
through. Waiting time 1-2 minutes. One car was being
thoroughly searched on the side, so that traffic flow
was unaffected. A young man was led into the "waiting area".
The DCO rep approached us smiling, wanting to greet us,
and explain that all was running smoothly because he was there.
Al-Ezariya, 15:35
At the entrance is a previously reported yet new red
sign (see attached photograph) which says in Hebrew, Arabic and English:
PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY TERRITORY
AREA XX AHEAD
NO ENTRY FOR ISRAELIS
ENTRY ILLEGAL BY ISRAELI LAW
Following the word "area", a letter had been painted over and
obliterated in all languages (where we put an XX), presumably the letter
A. Indeed, this is not area A, and so of course it is not illegal to
enter.
Al Ezariya is replete with vehicles sporting Israeli license
plates. We encouNtered at least 5 Israeli police vehicles, some BP, some
civilian. Nobody paid the least bit attention to us "illegals". Our
guess: This sign is invalid, but hey! — if it scares some Israelis away,
that's the goal. It is like adding an item to a restaurant bill. If it's
challenged — it is removed. If it is not challenged, it is extra money
in the restaurant's till. Why not?
Olives terminal, 16:00
25-30 cars in the parking lot but the terminal
deserted. We walked through and 2 bored but surprised girl soldiers asked
us why, and waved us through. On our way back through the turnstiles, we
happened to follow a small family, father, mother and baby wrapped in a
blanket. They were a bit apprehensive about us trailing behind them, I
guess we seem out of place. As frequently noted before, squeezing through
the turnstile while carrying a baby is not easy.
Container CP, 16:35
We returned to check whether there was anything
happening, but it was as quiet as it had been an hour and a half ago.
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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