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‘Anata-Shu’afat, Al-Ezariya

Observers: Julia W., Rahel W. (reporting)
Sep-10-2015
| Afternoon
   

 

 

We went first to Anata which seemed to be functioning as usual.  There were no vehicle backups, no shouting.  Traffic proceeded smoothly.
 
Al Ezariya
 
Was still pretty quiet, perhaps because of the oppressively hot weather.  We continued on in the direction to Wadi Nar to see what was happening in the Bedouin encampment which has been squeezed into a smaller and smaller area as building continues to encircle it.  The encampment appeared to be empty, but this might have been because of the very hot weather.
 
We tried to enter the checkpoint at  A Zaim from the Maaleh Adumim Road and turned off at the A Zaim exit, but it was not possible to get back under the highway to the checkpoint.  We found ourselves meandering through the narrow streets.  After talking with some people there, we just returned to the main road and returned to Jerusalem. 
 
 
 
 

 

  • A-Za'im CP

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    • A-Za'im CP is located on Road 1 near the village of a-Za'im, in the section of the road between Ma'ale Adumim and Jerusalem in the area called E1.
      It is adjacent to the separation wall. Only Israeli and Palestinian citizens living in East Jerusalem are allowed to pass through. Vehicles of West Bank residents with entry permits to Israel and public transportation in East Jerusalem are not allowed to pass through this checkpoint. They are obliged to pass only through the Qalandiya checkpoint in north Jerusalem.
      Until the construction of the checkpoint, the villagers could enter Jerusalem almost indefinitely. Now, they are denied access and directed to the West Bank via the apartheid road parallel to Road 1 and Road 437 to the Anatot / Anata junction.
      In addition, an iron gate was erected in the separation wall, which sometimes allows (we did not have the opportunity to see it open) pedestrians to enter Jerusalem through a-Tour. North to the checkpoint, the Olive Interchange was established, directing traffic from Highway 1 to Jerusalem and Ramallah (for blue ID  holders only). The checkpoint is located near the village of a-Za'im, it is managed by border police and private security companies. It is active 24 hours a day.
      People crossing the A Za'im checkpoint are checked randomly. The checkpoint suffers from traffic jams in the morning (from Ma'ale Adumim to Jerusalem) and in the afternoon (in the opposite direction).

  • Al-'Eizariya

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    • Al-'Eizariya

      At exit from Al-'Eizariya, before square leading to Maale Adumim. Mobile checkpoint (jeep and Border Police) operating till 09:00 am, facilitating traffic exiting Maale Adumin on three kilometer strip of road, also permissible for Palestinian vehicles. A similar checkpoint in the opposite direction, on road between Mishor Adumim and Adumim Junction. This checkpoint facilitates settler traffic on the Jerusalem-Jericho-Rift Valley road.

  • Checkpoint Shu'afat camp / Anata-Shu'afat (Jerusalem)

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    • The Shu’afat checkpoint is located in the northern part of East Jerusalem at the exit from the village of Anata and the Shu’afat refugee camp, which are located in the area annexed to Jerusalem in 1967. The refugee camp borders the Shu’afat neighborhood to the west, Pisgat Ze’ev to the north, the French Hill neighborhood to the south and the planned expansion of Ma’aleh Adumim to E-1 in the east.  It was established in 1966 for 1948 refugees from the West Bank and was populated after the Six Day War by persons who had been expelled from the Jewish Quarter.  Today its population comprises some 25,000 people holding blue ID cards and some 15,000 people with Palestinian ID cards.  The camp lacks adequate infrastructure and services, and suffers from poverty, neglect and overcrowding.  All its buildings are connected to the public electricity and water infrastructure, but not all are connected to the sewer system.  The camp’s services are provided by UNRWA, except for those such as health clinics and transportation of pupils to schools in Jerusalem.  In 2005, the Israeli High Court of Justice rejected a suit by the residents requesting that the route of the separation fence be drawn such that the camp would remain on the Israeli side, but conditioned its approval of the route on the establishment of a convenient and rapid crossing facility for the inhabitants of the neighborhood, most of whom are residents of Jerusalem.

      A temporary checkpoint operated there until December, 2011.  It was extremely congested during rush hours, and dangerous for pedestrians (especially children) because of inadequate safety provisions.  The new checkpoint was  inaugurated south of the old one, for public and private transportation and for pedestrians, intended solely for the residents of the camp – holders of blue ID cards, and those with Palestinian ID cards who possess appropriate permits.  There are five vehicle inspection stations at the checkpoint, and two for pedestrians (one of which is currently closed) where scanners have been installed but are not yet operating.  According to the army, representatives of government agencies will also be present to provide services to residents of the neighbourhood.  The pedestrian lanes are very long, located far from the small parking lots, and accessible through only a single revolving gate.

       

      ענאתא: מאחז חדש קם דרומה לצומת
      Anat Tueg
      Jan-25-2026
      Anata: A new outpost has been built south of the junction
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