14:00-17:00

Sheikh Saed

Driving down through Jebel Mukabr we noted that the garbage containers were overflowing and the streets were filthy – the responsibility of the Jerusalem Municipality. Huge potholes make driving hazardous and difficult. It should be noted that the garbage is cleared on Thursdays and the last two Thursday were both holidays.

We entered through the checkpoint into Sheikh Saed and heard the usual complaints of the loitering men who voiced their frustration about feeling choked, their lack of employment and their isolation from the outside world.

In Abu Dis there is more graffiti on the wall, but nothing else had changed.

Wadi Nar

In Wadi Nar the traffic flowed unhindered in both directions.

A young man asked us for a lift to Kedar from where he continues on foot to his home in the desert. He reaches the Wadi Nar checkpoint by taxi and although he is only thirty years old, it is enough to obtain a permit to work in the construction of our homeland in Maaleh Adumim.

On the way back, at the roundabout at the entrance to Maaleh Adumim is a long line of vehicles from the direction of El Azzariya. Not one of those entering Maaleh Adumim even considers waiting a minute to ease the pressure somewhat; the "Lords of the Land!"