Abu Dis, Container (Wadi Nar), Sheikh Saed, Mon 23.6.08, Morning
06:30 Sheikh Saed
When we arrived we saw that a few people were waiting and were not let through. On our way through the turnstiles, we realized that the reason was the morning prayer of the soldier. The other soldiers present rose and let the people through only when we make a remark about it.
Sheikh Saed is waiting for the Supreme Court decision which is expected any day now. A journalist and a photographer for Yediot Yerushalaim were also there, preparing a report about the situation, which is due this week or next week.
Our presence might have helped two elderly people without permits to pass and go to the court in East Jerusalem.
On the way to Wadi Nar there was a traffic jam at the entrance to Al Eizariyya, in both directions. It was no longer there on our way back.
07:45 Wadi Nar
We took the Kedar road. The place looks neglected and gives the impression of either rebuilding (as the soldiers maintained) of dismantling.
Five taxis and a bus which were detained, were released a few minutes after our arrival. One taxi driver was held and, when released after about 15 minutes, was accompanied by 2 soldiers who made a very meticulous search in his taxi. Neta's filming might have caused the search to end as it did.
Taxis were stopped from time to time, in both directions, to and from Bethlehem, papers checked and returned within 10 minutes. One of the taxi drivers complained about being detained for an hour a few days 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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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.
Anat TuegSep-9-2026Road 45. For Israelis only, from Road 60 near Kochav Ya'akov to the Qalandiya underpass
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