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Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal), Sheikh Saed, Barbed Wire, Thu 7.3.13, Morning

Place: Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal) Sheikh Sa'ed
Observers: Rahel M., Michaela R. (reporting)
Mar-07-2013
| Morning

 

 
 
Barbed wire
 
6:00 Sheikh Saed
 
Traffic is plentiful and swift.
The children start crossing at around 6:15.  When do they wake up, and when do their parents get up?
Their crossing is also swift.
 
Olive Terminal
 
Curls of barbed wire many kilometers long are spread at the bottom of the parking lot, and decorate the hills.  Not anything that a pair of cutters couldn't breach.  But apparently the decision has not yet been taken about where to situate (or not) the permanent barrier.  Till then, the Israeli taxpayers' money will continue to be squandered, the environment destroyed, and the Palestinian crossings will remain prickly and humiliating.
 
A few minutes after our arrival, one of the security guards dashes towards a group of drivers standing at the entrance to the parking lot, pointing his gun.  A policeman hurried after him, shouting that he was uncertain about what he had seen.  The incident was soon over with a check of documents.
 
At the checkpoint it self traffic flows quietly.  All lanes are open and the lines are short.
 
Az-Za'ayyem checkpoint
 
They don't like us here — they check our documents suspiciously, but they also hasten to tell us that all's well at the checkpoint. 
We were not convinced.
When we arrived we saw passengers waiting while the check of their bus is completed.
Immediately after that an enormous traffic jam formed beyond the checkpoint, and there was no point in our continued presence.
 

  • Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal)

    See all reports for this place

    • A large checkpoint/crossing to the area of a-Tur, Abu Dis and the Old City; only for pedestrians. Located on Jerusalem’s municipal boundary.

      One of the major crossings in Jerusalem’s central sector. It is located on the separation fence between the northern portion of the al-Ezariya neighborhood and the neighborhood of a-Tur and the rest of East Jerusalem. It is manned by Border Police soldiers and private security companies and operates 24 hours a day. Palestinians are forbidden to go through, other than permanent residents of East Jerusalem (holders of blue ID cards) and holders of work and commercial permits who are allowed through only on foot.

  • Sheikh Sa'ed

    See all reports for this place

    • A checkpoint limited to pedestrians, located on Jerusalem’s municipal boundary.

      The checkpoint sits on the separation fence at the entrance to Sheikh Sa’ad, dividing it from its neighbourhood of Jabel Mukkabar. It’s manned by Border Police soldiers and private security companies and operates 24 hours a day. Palestinians are forbidden to go through, other than residents of Jabel Mukkabar or Sheikh Sa'ad who have permits. Both groups are permitted through only on foot. Residents of East Jerusalem who don’t live in Jabel Mukkabar are also allowed to cross to Sheikh Sa’ad, but not in the opposite direction; they must return through the Sawahira ash Sharqiya checkpoint.

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