Abu-Dis, Zeitim CP, The Container, Az-Za’ayyem Monday, 07.05.2007, PM(15:00-18:15) Observers: Yael I. . Ruth O and Ilana D. (reporting) On Top of the wall coiled barbed wire has been placed over metal netting attached with poles. The gate of the Cliff Hotel was not locked and a soldier was about to open it for us to pass when he remembered asking us which family we planned to visit. The area is only open to its inhabitants and their guests. The earth mounds in the middle of the various roads have been removed. We turned around and found a real CP at the Pishpash manned by a BP man who was amazed that we had dared pass him by car. We turned around when we saw that the continuation was blocked. He told us that only holders of blue ID cards who live in the vicinity (there are lists) are allowed to pass. Those do not have to drive the long way around via Ma’aleh Adumim. We proceeded via A-Tur and turned right just before the road to Jericho to enter Az-Za’ayyem. We drove uphill and stopped near a grocery store in a very beautiful neighborhood to speak with some of the inhabitants. The houses nearby were very beautiful with well-kept gardens and huge blooming roses. We were told that the place is empty. All those with blue ID’s are renting tiny apartments in East Jerusalem and lock up their houses. If they are caught at night in their real home they are threatened with confiscation of their blue ID, living in the West Bank. The Border Police accompanied by social Security men make almost nightly raids and enter houses, usually causing a lot of damage. One man said that he had made a video of the damage and wanted to complain at the Ma’aleh Adumim Police Station, but was told to agree that nothing had happened if he wanted to keep his Israeli ID card. A slow, but sure transfer which we will try and bring to the attention of Yesh Din. In addition very often the Tax Authorities make use of the soldiers to stop cars and then confiscate the vehicles if it turns out that the owner has debts. They were told to call us when this happens, because we could maybe send a journalist. Zeitim CP – there were very few people. A driver who told us that the mornings are very busy approached us. He had told Anat about a problem, but had heard no more. He is worried because buses no longer come to collect passengers at the CP. Therefore people are forced to pay 20 Shekels for a cab to get to Abu-Dis. Especially for schoolchildren this is an impossible situation. Also, did he tell us that the CP authorities keep a record of those who enter Jerusalem in the morning. If they don’t return in the evening, and if this happens a couple of times, they are punished. The access road is indeed atrocious and maybe hazardous for buses, but the matter should be taken up with the authorities, because it can be easily solved. The Eastern side of the wall is now decorated with more and more colorful graffiti. The Container – As soon as we approached the CP the line of waiting cars towards Bethlehem started moving. Pedestrians had to jump over the fence because the turnstiles were no working. A held-up taxi was released and R. was told not to photograph a herd of horses on a slope on the other side of the CP. We returned via the old Kedar Road along heaps of garbage and the Jahalin encampment.