Abu Dis, Container (Wadi Nar), Sheikh Saed, Mon 21.10.13, Morning
Sheikh Saed
In Sheikh Saed we drove south along the security road from the new parking lot until we were stopped by a surprised border police jeep which wanted to know what we were looking for. We said we were trying to figure out what is going on here, why a new checkpoint is being built in Sheikh Saed: will it link with the eastern ring road, and how (perhaps by means of this road)? The soldiers did not know. We'll await the visit of "Bimkom" to understand the over-all plan for this place. It seems to us that a parking lot (actually a narrow and small strip) for the benefit of residents does not require such an investment.
We were not allowed to ascend to the checkpoint on its other side (Area B), and we did not insist because it was empty and we wanted to continue. Later we spoke of this with the DCO representative who promised again to send a specific order to the officer and his soldiers in the location to permit human rights organizations to use the crossing.
We continued to Silwan and the Olive Terminal, where the construction of the wall has not yet been completed.
Wadi Nar
The fearsome road ascending to Wadi Nar has been improved, security fences added, and driving is safer, although — despite clear signs forbidding driving in the opposite direction — drivers may be tempted to do just that because the nearby road to Keidar is closed for improvements. This road is intended for use from Wadi Nar to El-Azariya and the south of the West Bank.
At the checkpoint we were welcomed by a pack of young dogs, less pugilistic than the older pack, but despite the soldiers' claim that "they're not ours" it was clear that they're encouraged to remain, giving the soldiers a greater sense of security.
On the way back, around 9:00, the congestion at the Az-Za'ayyem checkpoint from the direction of Ma'aleh Adumim had cleared.
In Sheikh Jarrah we stopped next to 3 detainees without permits. Two female soldiers were guarding them until the arrival of security forces to take them for interrogation. We managed to photograph them, despite the soldiers' protests.
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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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.
Avital CFeb-27-2026Jerusalem, Damascus Gate: Crowd rushing to prayer
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