Abu Dis, Container (Wadi Nar), Sheikh Saed, Mon 22.9.08, Afternoon
3:00 – 6:00 PM
We went via jabel Mukaber towards Sheikh Saed
From afar the heaps of rubbish along the prison fence of the neighborhood could be seen. This time we had no trouble to enter through the turnstile and the narrow fence path. No body asked us to fill any forms. Apparently it all depends on the whims of the CP commander.
The village, partly deserted, looked sleepy in the harsh midday heat and probably also due to the Ramadan fasting. We met a young man who complained about the hardships the CP creates. He cannot bring home any of the things he needs or wishes to purchase in the city unless he carries them on his back, before he used to enter the village with his car. He ownes a blue ID card, thus he is able to work in Jerusalem but he cannot leave to Jabel Mucaber, what he would like to do, since his family members have green
ones.
On our way out we saw the "Ambulance" parked across the dirt road what can one do with it?
We drove along the dirt road bearing the impressive name "American Road" passing the fortified settlement at Rass el Amud that is expanding right now. Further down in Abu Dis we also hardly saw any people. One person entered the "Pishpash", another one came out.
At the Container a great deal of earth had been removed, there still are no signs of building but the dust is plentiful. Another small shack has been put up where the former CP stood and three border police soldiers are "directing" the traffic which advances at a reasonable pace.
From time to time a car is being stopped and papers are being taken for inspection. After a few minutes a shriek human whistle is heard and the papers are put on one of the concrete blocks to be taken by the driver who waited on the side. No long lines were formed and the wait was not longer than ten minutes.
A few drivers waved thanking us for our presence. When we started to leave the commander of the CP approached us and with a slight Russian accent asked why we don't stay any longer. At first we thought he is mocking us but it turned out that he really meant it. He explained that he tries to be as fair as possible to the Palestinians because "every evil thing you do will in the end turn against you". He apparently wants to get credit from some one for his attitude. It is true that even before he spoke to us we were impressed by his behavior while we watched him.
On the way back we stopped at the entrance to Keidar East.
When we stopped at the gate a soldier came out to ask what we are looking for. In return we asked him about this "settlement" He answered "This is temporary Keidar", "how temporary?" "24 years!" Five soldiers are guarding this place where no civilians seem to live at all.
Not a very eventful shift.
Let's hope for a better new year
Abu Dis / Lazarus gate (formerly The Wicket)
See all reports for this place-
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
See all reports for this place-
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.
Anat TuegMay-20-2026Nabi Samwil. This is what living conditions look like in an enclave village without building or renovation permits
-