Abu Dis, first Friday of Ramadan, 5.8.2011 AM

Olive Passage (Maavar Hazeitim)

9.45 – 11.15

On our arrival we saw already masses of people in the passage, all eager to get early to the prayers at 12 on Temple Mount. The parking lot on the top of the hill was packed with minibuses waiting for the passing people in order to drive them into the old city.

All women were clad in festive dresses and head covers, also many men were wearing 'Galabias', some of them white. It was announced that men above 50 and women over 45 will be allowed to attend the prayers. Quite a few small children came along with their grandparents. There were many security people on spot; Military police, border police and members of civilian security companies in their black uniforms. Also was there an ambulance of the Palestinian authrity with quite a few paramedics of the same organization. They were there to care for people in case of some medical problems that could occur in such a hot day to elderly fasting people.

We entered the checkpoint without any disturbance and realized that the checking of the incoming people was not in the usual windows but at a special stand that was put up outside. There were two entrances, one for men and one for women and four security people under a sunscreen were watching the passing people. We stood there to watch but were asked to move aside. When we wanted to ask a question we were answered by the officer on spot that they do not answer any questions. This was the only unpleasant behavior we encountered. The passage was smooth and people who looked old enough were not even asked to show their documents. An elderly man told us he just found out he was a 'shabac suspect' for no known to him reason. We encouraged him to try and pass and sure enough he was let through without any questions asked. A few minutes later we discovered that there was another security stand further down at the entrance to the Checkpoint from Abu Dis so that the people had to pass two security posts but even so the passing was very quick. At this lower stand the search was a little more severe and most people had to show their documents. Three or four people (out of many hundreds) were not allowed in, they were probably not old enough.

The shadowed waiting area was empty except for security people, among them some officers. They were all very friendly and told us that the soldiers at the checkpoint got instructions to behave cordially to the passing Palestinians during the holiday and were even taught some appropriate Arabic words. We actually heard one of the soldiers saying "Please" (Tfadali) when inviting an Arab woman to go through. We met two members of OCHA, a man from New Zealand and a woman from Lydda who were also visiting the checkpoints during Ramadan and they too carried out some friendly conversations with the officers. On leaving we said to an officer that we pleased to see how the whole operation was handled and he answered that he appreciates what we do!