Sawahira ash Sharkiya, Sheikh Saed
Sheikh Saed
The new building is still not in use. People come down the hill from Sheikh Saed along what appears to be the military approach-route to the neighbourhood. But near the checking booth, police metal barriers make the approach awkward. The point of this arrangement, aside from giving rise to another humiliation, is unclear.
The few children arriving cross without checks. As for the adults, we did not observe any prevented from crossing.
Sawaharra Checkpoint
We had not visited this checkpoint for a long time. Nothing has changed. People tell of their travails:
— An elderly teacher who replaced her car has been waiting for c. five months for her new licensing. In the meantime she must park her car on the Jerusalem side of the checkpoint and cross on foot.
— A parent says his 16-year old son is allowed to cross the checkpoint eastward in the mornings, but prevented from crossing westward at the end of his school day, and is obliged to return through the Az-Za'ayyem checkpoint, a considerable distance to walk.
— The transportation drivers complain about having to make a large detour instead of being allowed to cross at the checkpoint. This would also facilitate matters for the children, but no one seems to care.
At the checkpoint, matters are routine. The exit door from the checking booth is still heavy, and locked from the inside.
Cars must still cross 4 metal barriers.
Sawahira a-Sharqiya
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Sawahira a-Sharqiya
A vehicle and pedestrian checkpoint on Jerusalem’s municipal boundary.
It sits on the separation fence, separating Sawahira a Sharqiya, Sawahira al Gharbiya from Jabel Mukkabar and the rest of East Jerusalem. The checkpoint is 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 Sawahira al Gharbiya and residents of a-Sawahira a Sharqiya who have permits. Vehicles with special permits are allowed through, from Sheikh Sa’ed as well.
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Sheikh Sa'ed
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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.
Avital CFeb-27-2026Jerusalem, Damascus Gate: Crowd rushing to prayer
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