Abu Dis, the Container Tuesday AM, 12.7.2005Observers: Michaela R., Yael I.L., Chana A., Yehudit S. (reporting).At Abu Dis and at the Container there were no special events and traffic flowed unhindered. We saw people detained in East Jerusalem.06:35 – In the middle of the way going down, between Rockefeller intersection and Gethsemane, we noticed a number of BP soldiers and quite a few detainees. We decided to park the car and see what was going on. At first there were 3 BP soldiers (and shortly after 2 additional ones appeared) and 15 detainees. According to one of them, they were all taken off the bus that came from Bethlehem and passed the Container CP on its way to Jerusalem. That was at 6:00, he said. One of the detainees had a court order according to which he was not to be banished!!! from the country. He was finally let through.In another case, one with which we were unable to assist, a young 25 year-old bachelor did not have a permit and his magnetic card had expired. At the Etzion DCO he was told he would not be able to get a permit till he was 30. He is taking a risk each time because he is seeking work. 3 detainees were released and went on their way.06:55 -Two more BP soldiers come down from Rockefeller intersection to join the existing 5 who are busy checking. At that very moment they apprehend another minibus, 2 Palestinians are taken off it, and the two new BP soldiers tell them to accompany them. Yael and Yehudit followed them. We saw that another inspection post was being “opened”, right beneath Gethsemane, and there too they were randomly stopping minibuses and taxis.It should be noted that the activity of the soldiers was carried out quietly, with no irregular behavior. When we arrived they bade us “Shalom” and allowed us to stand very close by. We saw that they held in their hands those white sheets that the Palestinians are supposed to sign. Most of the detainees from the upper spot were permitted to pass.When we continued to Abu Dis there were still two detainees seated in the inspection spot beneath Gethsemane. Their nylon bags were behind them, waiting to be inspected.Abu Dis. 07:25 -There are many buses next to the gas station and free passage through the narrow opening of the lower gate. Free passage at the Pishpash too. Alongside the road going up from the gas station to the Pishpash there was no army presence. We descended to the Ma’ale Adumim road via A-Tur and Az-Za’ayyem. At Az-Za’ayyem, there is immense construction going on, including white scaffoelding which looks like the preparation of roofed passage ways. It seems a serious CP will be built there. Al-Ezariya. 07:40 -As we left our car we noticed a bus (Abdiya-Taanra line) detained on the side. It was released several minutes after we arrived. Next to it is a transit, also detained, with its side and back doors open and the driver unloading lots of carton boxes. 10 minutes later it is released as well. At 08:00 traffic flows in both directions with no particular hindering, thus too the pedestrians coming from Bethlehem.We left the CP at approximately 08:15 and descended on the road paved in front of the CP, the end of which meets the old road to Al-Ezariya. It shortens the way considerably and many vehicles go up and down it. Our shift ended.