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Abu Dis, Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal), Sheikh Saed, Thu 4.8.11, Morning

Place: Abu Dis / Lazarus gate (formerly The Wicket) Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal) Sheikh Sa'ed
Observers: Rachel M., Michaela R. (reporting)
Aug-04-2011
| Morning

 
The month of Ramadan is conspicuous for the sparseness of persons crossing.
 
 
6:40 Sheikh Saed
 
Announcements about land expropriation hang on the electric poles in the area.  Here are two quotations:
 
"… because the land described is absolutely required by the commission for public use, and because the commission is willing to negotiate the purchase of the said land."
 
"… area along the border of East Jerusalem, part of the northern route along the neighbourhoods of A-tur, Ras Al Amud along the eastern wall of the Kidron, Sheikh Saed, Um Leison (as far as the the connection to the railway road between East Talpiot and Tzur Baher), and as far as the vicinity of Mazmoriah and Khirbet Luka in the south… some 658 dunams…"
 
At the checkpoint: few crossing, mostly young men.  Crossing is quick, on the whole.
 
A very bent old man leaning on a cane reached the turnstile, but it closed.  He called the soldier in the booth.  The soldier came out, checked the old man's papers, said he was a resident of Nablus and therefore not permitted to cross here, and that his permit is for Friday.  The man moved back and waited.  He asked for our help… then appealed to the soldier again who screamed "Enough, forbidden!"
 
 
Olive Terminal
 
Few crossing.

  • 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.

  • 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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