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Abu Dis, Jerusalem, Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal), Sheikh Saed, Thu 29.11.12, Morning

Place: Abu Dis / Lazarus gate (formerly The Wicket) Jerusalem Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal) Sheikh Sa'ed
Observers: Rahel M., Shosh H., Michaela R. (reporting)
Nov-29-2012
| Morning

 

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In general
It's a week after Pillar of Defence, and tonight Abu Mazen will address the UN General Assembly with the request to recognize the State of Palestine.  Tension among security forces is palpable.  On the Palestinian side, indifference and continuing routine.
 
6:45 Sheikh Saed
 
Few crossing, mostly children who are not checked. The corridor is mostly empty.
At 6:53 a group of some  twenty men (merchants) enters the corridor, but they must wait another 7 minutes because their permits say 7:00.  Meantime a long line forms.  The magnometer beeps wildly, whether because someone has forgotten a coin in his pocket or because a winter garment conceals a piece of metal… or a knife or…
At 7:00 the merchants start to cross.  As though up till then they were terrorists and then at the stroke of 7:00 (like Cinderella) they become innocent.  Security above all!  Wouldn't it make better sense to let the merchants cross while the checkpoint is empty and ease the pressure which otherwise overwhelms both those crossing and those checking?
 
7:30 Olive Terminal
 
A metal fence has been added in front of the checkpoint on the Israeli side, for no obvious purpose — perhaps some sub-contractor has connections in the relevant offices for earning a contract for unnecessary work.
At the checkpoint, only one track is operative, and of course a line forms.  When a second track is opened the line shortens rapidly.
I displayed my ID and moved on, but one of the soldiers called me back for further checking.  After scrutinizing my ID carefully, he asked if I was Jewish.  I answered that the question was irrelevant, I was Israeli.  In response, the soldier closed the turnstile, delaying me and the rest of the line behind me while he made feverish phone calls, and then let me cross a few minutes later without further explanation.
 
Za"hal Square
 
Border policewomen checking documents of Arab women.

  • 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.

  • Jerusalem

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    • The places in East Jerusalem which are visited routinely by MachsomWatch women are Silwan and Sheikh Jarrah. During the month of Ramadan, also the Old City and its environs are monitored.

  • Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal)

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    • A large checkpoint/crossing to the area of a-Tur, Abu Dis and the Old City; only for pedestrians. Located on Jerusalem’s municipal boundary.

      One of the major crossings in Jerusalem’s central sector. It is located on the separation fence between the northern portion of the al-Ezariya neighborhood and the neighborhood of a-Tur and the rest of East Jerusalem. It is manned by Border Police soldiers and private security companies and operates 24 hours a day. Palestinians are forbidden to go through, other than permanent residents of East Jerusalem (holders of blue ID cards) and holders of work and commercial permits who are allowed through only on foot.

  • 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.

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