Back to reports search page

Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal), Sheikh Saed, Silwan, Mon 11.2.13, Morning

Place: Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal) Sheikh Sa'ed Silwan
Tags: Soldiers at checkpoints
Observers: Dafna s., Anat T. (reporting)
Feb-11-2013
| Morning

 

Sheikh Saed
 Crossing today is efficient and quick.  The younger children cross quickly without unnecessary checks or demands for sundry permits.
Workmen cross quickly (many of course earlier) as do high school pupils.  The female soldier does not scold or scream, and the peace is kept.  The style is the message, and today the cruel separation from the mother neighbourhood, Jabel Mukhaber, and from Jerusalem, is a little more bearable.
 
In conversation with the residents we kick around the wild idea of bringing Obama to visit the Sheikh Saed checkpoint which represents so much of the flagrant cruelty and injustice dealt to the Palestinian population of Jerusalem and its surroundings.
 
7:30 Silwan
 
The project of judaizing the names in Silwan is already on all the google maps, and we are unable to tell the old familiar name of the intersection in which we are stuck in traffic on our way from the American road to Silwan.  Let's call it the "Bustan Intersection" connecting the Shiloah road to the top of Ein Hilweh Street. The reason, it turns out, is archaeological digs carried out by the Antiquities Authority on the eastern part of the road.  In the process of laying a sewage pipe, an ancient wall was hit (not unusual in this area) and now the Antiquities Authority is uncovering it carefully to decide whether to continue with a proper archaeological dig.  The situation in this neighbourhood is explosive, as we all know, but this morning the problem is mainly traffic.  There are no checkpoints, either police or military or any other kind.
 
8:15 Olive Terminal
 
A young mother with an infant in a carry-all and big bags walks beside us from the parking lot to the checkpoint.  She doesn's want any help.  She crosses to Al Ezariya without being checked.
In the crossing from Al Ezariya to Jerusalem there is one crossing point for the public and another for those seeking liaison services.  The humanitarian crossing for pupils, teachers etc. is active only until 7:30.  The line is not long and it seems our presence contributes to its fast diminishment.  We learn from passersby that on Saturdays (which are regular school days for Palestinian pupils) there is an enormous crush between 7 and 8 a.m. because only one lane is open (for lack of manpower, it seems).  There were cases of pupils waiting for more than one hour, then giving up and going home.

  • 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.

      ירושלים, שער שכם: קהל ממהר לתפילה
      Avital C
      Feb-27-2026
      Jerusalem, Damascus Gate: Crowd rushing to prayer
      View the full album

  • Silwan

    See all reports for this place

    • Silwan is south of the Old City of Jerusalem and has become one of the main confrontation areas with settlers.

       

Donate