Abu-Dis Wednesday afternoon, 7 April 2004 Watchers: Sylvia P., Rinah H., Chana G., Rahel W. (reporting), two guests Abu-Dis: When we arrived at the intersection opposite the Pishpash Gate [a roadside pedestrian passage], there was a terrible traffic jam. There were no Border Police on duty, and passage through the Pishpash Gate was unimpeded. That might have explained the crush of vehicles.We went first to the hotel. There has been no further construction on the [Separation] wall since last week. While we were there, a Border Police jeep escorted two cars of apparently ultra-Orthodox visitors, traveling along the dirt road through what will soon become the new Moskovitz settlement.When we crossed through the Pishpash Gate, the shopowners told us that yesterday was a disaster:[Incident reported to us:] There was a Border Policeman by the name of Shalan, who obviously causes a lot of trouble whenever he is around. We were told that there were lots of blows, tear gas canisters thrown, and people seeking refuge in the shops, which lowered their shutters. We were told [by local people] that it is important that someone from MachsomWatch be around at about 16:30 in the afternoon (17:30 our time), when the students from Al Quds [University] leave to go back to Jerusalem. We gave them some phone numbers to call if such a situation arises again.Wadi-Nar:We noticed that there were almost no transit-vans [multi-passenger taxis] on the road — a warning that there was a total closure [restriction of movement] in effect. And indeed there was. The Border Police at the checkpoint were decent enough and worked “by the book”: If a driver had a permit, he was allowed through; if not, he was turned back. We tried to intercede on behalf of a driver who wanted to get home to Hebron with a truckload of vegetables, but he didn’t have the proper permit. Sylvia made several calls including one to the Bethlehem DCO [IDF Civil Administration office, where permits are issued], and was told that he was allowed through.Comment in summary:In truth, there was almost nothing for us to do. As the Haphtarah which is recited on the first day of Passover concludes, “And Jericho was totally sealed up because of the children of Israel: none went out and none came in!!” People can’t get to work. The transit-van drivers have no passengers to transport. We see more and more people just loafing around with nothing to do.And, from what we hear, the closure will be in effect until at least after Israeli Independence Day, several weeks from now.