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Abu Dis, Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal), Sheikh Saed, Tue 5.6.12, Morning

Place: Abu Dis / Lazarus gate (formerly The Wicket) Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal) Sheikh Sa'ed
Tags: Health Problems
Observers: Idit S., Anat T. (reporting)
Jun-05-2012
| Morning

    

 
 
6:40 Sheikh Saed
 
Again the problem of crossing the checkpoint to the hill above in order to meet those waiting.  The soldiers are new to the area, and are not familiar with our organisation, and at the envelope headquarters those on duty have not heard of our activities.  At police and border-police headquarters they are certain that we are not permitted to cross, and they require a direct order from the DCO.  We insist, and call the humanitarian centre on the direct line to the person at Civil Administration in charge of the Abu Dis area — at first we fail to reach him.  Next we call Hanna Barag.  Finally their combined efforts bear fruit. 
Actually, the checkpoint functions relatively smoothly, without unnecessary checks of children.
 
8:00 Drive through Silwan 
 
Derelict road, and extensive work near the City of David.  Police presence at the top of Ein Hilweh St., but no vehicles are stopped.
 
8:30 Olive Terminal
 
Most of the toilets are not locked, and their condition is better than the last few weeks, but clean it's not. 
We meet a man on his way to Augusta Victoria for a week of chemotheraphy — weak, barely able to move, with a walker and a catheter.  His wife accompanies him. It doesn't occur to anyone to let this poor man cross in a vehicle.  No one answers a call to the outer station of the checkpoint; we want to ask them to open the humanitarian gate.  Only after a call to the checkpoint commander does a female soldier arrive to open the gate.  From here on, his crossing is  anticipated, and they open the inner humanitarian gate for him.
 
 
 

  • Abu Dis / Lazarus gate (formerly The Wicket)

    See all reports for this place

    •  

      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)

    See all reports for this place

    • 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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