Abu Dis, Container (Wadi Nar), Sheikh Saed, Wed 6.1.10, Afternoon
2:00 PM till 5:30 PM
We checked whether the ‘numbered temporary street name’ in Nof Zion had already been renamed. It hadn’t. However, in addition we saw that in the newest section of the settlement within Jebel Mukabr there is yet another ‘temporary’ numbered street name.
The CP in Sheikh Saed was deserted; we noted again how far the bus stop has been removed from the CP.
Driving via the Road of the Americas we reached Ras El Amud and saw that the former police station is in a far stage of demolition and can soon be rebuilt to house more settlers, on the other side of the road the extension of the Ma’aleh Zeitim settlement is nearing completion.
We entered the former PishPash CP by car and were AMAZED at the extent of fortifications and other construction taking place on the spot. A prefab concrete building has been installed for proper investigation and inspection – lots of pipes and hoses still need to be connected. The mound of rubble to reach the blue door has been replaced by a metal ladder, which is a little too short, so it is placed on some blocks. Huge caterpillars were making lots of noise in the process of making this a model CP.
Before we entered Az-Za'ayyem the soldier asked his commander whether we are allowed into the ‘red’ area – there seemed to be ‘no problem’.
An elderly man was washing the windows of the closed mansion across the grocery store. The store itself has been renovated and was manned by children who were extremely friendly and helped us to buy somethings. One of the boys told us he had talked to our ‘friends’ in Beit Khanina.
The Container CP
a long line of cars waited to be allowed in the direction of Bethlehem, but it slowly proceeded and only sporadically a transit or bus were held up, but pretty fast sent on its way.
A pick-up truck was already waiting when we arrived, to go into the direction of Jerusalem and the papers appeared to be in order. Then the ‘merchandise’ was being checked, but we were not allowed to observe.
When we eyed our watch, S., the Commander of the CP, told us that we had 4,5 more minutes. For what? We asked, to complain, because we are allowed to hold anyone up for 20 minutes. When those were long past, we asked what had happened and he said that the three men in the cabin were OK, but that the sheep in the back had Israeli coded tags in their ears and they may be stolen. His commander could not deal with the matter, since he was in a meeting, however, he did ask us to come for a cup of coffee. We politely declined and wondered how he could serve us coffee while in a meeting, but not deal with the sheep. We decided to wait, and either their patience had run out, or they were convinced that we would remain for the night and wanted to get rid of the annoying observers, after an hour and a half the driver was sent on his way and thanked us profusely; again: For What?
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.
Tamar FleishmanAug-31-2026Kfar Aqab (Jerusalem). Signs on the fence at the UNRWA compound
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