Abu-Dis, Wadi Nar, Wednesday April 19.04.06 A.M. Observrs: Barbara S., Ronnee J.(reporting) driver: Yoska Murin 6:55 Abu Dis Arrive at the narrow TEMPORARY opening in the wall that cuts Abu-Dis, commonly called Pishpash, or Bawabe, decorated by garbage of the occupation (mainly soldier’s food containers).Orders of the day: Complete closure. In fact “open closure”. Only old women, old men, those with green IDs and permits and humanitarian cases can pass. Very few people attempting to pass attests to the closures in surrounding areas, e.g. Bethlehem, Hebron.Five border guards present. The commander supplies his name – Y. – and tells us the orders of the day. He cites as reason the holidays (from Purim to the end of Passover) and the recent bombing in Tel-Aviv. At our mention that name tags are not visible, within 5 minutes name tags are all visible – but for how long?One border guard positions himself physically in the already narrow passage – making it very uncomfortable for all, especially women, as they must brush against him. He is busy giving orders: “One by one, if not you will have to wait.” A waiting period is the punishment, the length of the wait is arbitrary. 7:30 a Jeep appears here, later appears at Wadi Nar. Two other jeeps join briefly and leave quickly. As each person approaches the passage way the border police ask one-another, let him pass? yes? no? maybe? until finally the commander says magnanimously “let him/her pass”. All who come pass through – only one turned away, a younger man with green ID. Border guards take turns to check the top of the hill behind the wall. Today they find no workers trying to sneak in for work. 8:00 Wadi Nar Access roads are blocked by boulders and cement blocks. Long lines of taxis, trucks, and school buses travelling via Azariya. Two truck lanes, passing quickly, almost no check. Children going on school trips to Jericho.8:45 Wadi Nar a Small line of pedestrians at the “sleeve”, covered pedestrian passageway. Again attests to the closures in the surrounding areas. Most are going to Azariya, few to Bethlehem area. A border guard explains that they have just let an ambulance go through to the Bethlehem area, as a kindness. He obviously does not know the law regarding ambulances. 9:10 We depart. NOTE Adel Alkani from Abu Dis accused of driving a sick, 80 year-old man to Mukasat hospital in Jerusalem, was given court date during Passover. When he arrived for his trial, the court house was, of course, closed. New court date. May 17 1:00 p.m., Migrash Harusi, Bet Mishpat HaShalom. Please come to support him and create a Jewish anti-occupation presence at the court.