Abu Dis, Sawahre Tues. 23.11.04 PMObservers: Rina H., Chana G., Rahel W (reporting)Arrival at Abu Dis 2:00 p.m. There was a lot of traffic in both directions with dozens of transits off loading passengers and taking on new ones. The scene near the pishpash – monastery was surrealistic. The wire fence of the monastery had been cut and people were climbing through. The outer stone wall of the monastery was also broken down so that people could get in and circumvent the border police (if there were any) at the entrance gate to the monastery grounds some 10 meters from the broken wall. Also, on the small street leading to the former pishpash, the barbed wire was torn away so that people could also enter the monastery grounds without going through the gate, and then go beyond the two massive blocking walls.When we arrived, there were no border police, but they soon came and were clearly overwhelmed by the total mayhem. They spoke with one of the transit drivers who was at the time calling for passengers to Jerusalem from among the dozens of people streaming back from the other side. I truly regret I did not have a camera with me to film this bizarre scene. Went up to the Hotel — the road is getting worse by the day. The place is a mess. We noticed that there are now some caravans around the area of the Moskovitz settlement. Obviously, that is the reason for all the digging around the hotel. Bezeq was putting in telephone lines, and a sewage system is being put in as well. Went on to the container. When we arrived, there were no pedestrians and almost no vehicles in either direction. The BPs on duty were nearing the end of their shift and clearly just wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. All kinds of vehicles were quickly waved through, including private cars, trucks, buses, and transits. At the change of shifts (3:00 p.m.) there was some delay and back ups, but they quickly cleared. The checkpoint commander was very efficient and competent. At one point, 7 young men were taken off a bus, but they were checked and allowed to leave within about 20 minutes.Very cold and damp, but uneventful.