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Abu Dis, Container (Wadi Nar), Sheikh Saed, Mon 10.11.08, Morning

Observers: Rina R., Maya B. (reporting) ; Two guests from Civil Rights Watch from Geneva, Emanuala and Alin.
Nov-10-2008
| Morning

 

We  leave  Jerusalem  at  6:50  to  sheikh  Saed

As  we  arrive  we  immediately  are  faced  with  a  very  nervous  and  nasty  B.P.  man  who  does  everything  in  his  power  to  provoke  the older  boys  who  are  on their  way  to  school  ,  by  yelling  at  them  ,  sending  them  up  and  down  the hill  to  Sheikh  Saed,  not  letting  some  go  to school  at  all  and   refusing  to  answer  us. 

When  we  realize  that  violence  is  close  I  call Z.  who  is  now  the   officer  responsible  for  Sheikh  Saed  and  ask  him  to  interfere.

He  calls  and  the  soldiers  change  places  and  responsebilities.

 

we  move  on  to  Abu  Dis  ,  show  our  guests  the  wall there ,  and  Zeitun  Terminal,  with  the  neccessary  explanations.

 
At  8 :30  we  are  at  Wadi  Nar

Here  things  move  fast  and  no  detainies.  The  merchandise  on  some  delivery  trucks  is  being  checked,  but  very  fast.

We  drive  to  Sheich  Garach  where  we  were  told  an  elderly  couple  was  evicted  from  there  house  yesterday,  with  the  excuse  the  house  was  built  on  Jewish  land.

We  meet  the  woman  who  was  evicted  and  through  a translator  hear  here  story.

The  land  was  bought  by  Jews  in  1930.
She  and  her  husband  built  their  house  in  1951-2.  They  live there  eversince.  Her  husband  is  an  invalid  and  had  to be  rushed  to the hospital  due  to the   eviction.

She  refused  to  move  away  from  the  grounds.  About  20  policemen  and  B.P.men  closed  off the  street.  No  one  is  aloud  in  with  a  car. 

She  slept  on  the  road  last  night  as  a  matter  of  protest.  The  policemen  are  having  a  ball.  Picnic,  food,  coffe,  laughter,  while  this  poor  woman's  heart  is  bleeding.

The  explanation  we  are  offered  is:  The  municipal  elections  are  tomorrow,  or  the  Jews  want  to hand  the  house  over  to the  settlers  that  have  already  grabbed  two  houses  nearby. 
We  could  not  find  out  more  today.
  • 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)

    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)

       

  • 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.

      נבי סמואל. כך נראים המגורים בכפר מובלעת בלי היתרי בנייה או שיפוץ
      Anat Tueg
      May-20-2026
      Nabi Samwil. This is what living conditions look like in an enclave village without building or renovation permits
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