Abu-Dis, Sheikh Saed, The ContainerWednesday, 23.08.2006, AMObservers: Laura S, Tami B. (reporter),A visiting newspaperwoman: BrendaIt was one of the hottest days of the year, a fact that probably had effect on the whole tour: few people, relaxed atmosphere, almost surreal, tired/sleepy and hospitable soldiers. It seems that they went through “education series” because all of them were eager to explain their complicated situation, to persuade us their right position in the area, and even to try and persuade us (very politely) to change our point of view. It seems like what we think about them, and a positive opinion is very important to them.Sheikh Saed: 14:25 – The soldiers seem tired and bored. They check documents of those who want to leave and enter and explain again (so many times) that those with green documents are not allowed to leave, and send them back. The inhabitants keep trying to pass – maybe it will succeed this time. The commander is happy to see us. He shakes our hands, volunteers to answer any question and to explain that he demands his soldiers to behave in a humane way towards to inhabitants. He himself considers the situation and sometimes allows what is forbidden to his soldiers. He reminds us of what happened in Sawahre as a proof that “one can not rely on them”. The soldiers too ask us questions about Machsom-Watch, argue with us and try to convince us that their duty is important.A woman-inhabitant of the village who has a permit to pass for a medical treatment (diabetes) is refused today because her purpose is to visit her daughter who lives near by. Our attempts to explain that the situation is absurd do not change the decision.Sawahre: 15:15 – Again there is a warm welcome (including an offer for cold water) by the commander and his soldiers, as the commander explains to us that one has to be human. Their job is “to make it easy for the inhabitants” and in the meanwhile to let them pass there, since when there will be a final decision to close the opening, the inhabitants (who have blue ID’s or permits) will have to go through Rachel pass-way or Zeitim CP to enter Israel. Here too we heard in detail the encounter with the terrorist who dressed as a woman. They showed us his house, where the soldiers were wounded, and so on, trying desperately to convince us of the importance of their stay at the place. Every once in a while inhabitants pass both ways, they show their documents and keep going. The atmosphere is relaxed and matter-of-fact.Abu-Dis: 16:30 – The area is almost deserted. Only up the road there is a checkpoint with soldiers, but they are sleepy (No one goes through).We have not been in the area for a long time, and now we see how the wall has grown and spread (but now built in white bricks, and not gray blocks).The few inhabitants we met showed us the ditches that were dug for water and electricity pipes from Jerusalem area once the building of the wall will be completed. The current wall will be torn down and they will be part of the municipal area of Jerusalem (today too they pay taxes, including municipal tax, despite the fact that they are seemingly “behind the wall”).The Container: 17:45 – On the way we went through Zeitim CP – completely deserted.In the container there are many cars passing both ways, without delays, almost. Many workers are back from their work and usually go through with no delay, except on one occasion, when the soldier decided, possibly, to take a break, and then there was a five minutes delay. When we asked how come today everything is going smoothly, we got the answer that it is like that when there are no warnings (of terrorism).