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Abu Dis, Sheikh Saed, Thu 14.6.12, Morning

Place: Abu Dis / Lazarus gate (formerly The Wicket) Sheikh Sa'ed
Observers: Shosh H., Rahel M., Michaela R. (reporting)
Jun-14-2012
| Morning

 
 

 
 
6:45 Sheikh Saed
 
In contrast to previous weeks, most of the children today crossed without checks.  At one point, those checking left their booth and asked to be shown the contents of bags, and once in a while checked to see the children's permits.
 
An elderly man accompanied by two women was turned back.
 
 
Sawahara
 
When we arrived all the gates were open, but closed thereafter.
 
The checkpoint is calm.  We met two guards ("civil intelligence") and one border-policewoman.  Most of the children had crossed and were waiting for transportation.  A few vehicles arrive (their owners are on a list at the checkpoint), and the ritual of opening the electronic gates follows, two (!) in front of the checkpoint and two at the exit after the inspection.  Although we've seen this checkpoint many times, we can't help wondering whether anyone has given thought to the waste entailed by placing two gates in front when the checking takes place only inside the checkpoint area.  And why two more after those crossing have already been checked?
 
Who inspects the wondrous "architecture" of the checkpoints, or audits the enormous financial investment?
 
 
 

  

 

  • 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.

  • Sheikh Sa'ed

    See all reports for this place

    • 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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