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Abu Dis, Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal), Fri 13.8.10, Morning

Place: Abu Dis / Lazarus gate (formerly The Wicket) Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal)
Tags: Passage Restrictions
Observers: Idit S., Roni P., Michaela R.
Aug-13-2010
| Morning

First Friday of Ramadan

Zeitim Crossing

Relative to previous years, there are fewer people.  Crossing is well-organised and sign-posted: first clearance at the eastern parking lot, second clearance before entry into the checkpoint area, then check-free crossing in the corridors.

The soldiers conducted themselves correctly.  One female soldier was conspicuous for exercising good judgement and making an effort to speak in Arabic.  She was required to deal with many issues, and she did so rationally and leniently.

Everything was so proper, and yet…

As every year, persons not of the permitted age tried every and any means to persuade the soldiers to let them through and to exercise their human rights.  Children without parents clung to adults, adults clung to the handicapped or elderly  as companions.  A sense of heartache vitiated the sea of celebrants in their holiday dress.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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