Abu Dis, Container (Wadi Nar), Sheikh Saed, Wed 6.1.10, Afternoon
2:00 PM till 5:30 PM
We checked whether the ‘numbered temporary street name’ in Nof Zion had already been renamed. It hadn’t. However, in addition we saw that in the newest section of the settlement within Jebel Mukabr there is yet another ‘temporary’ numbered street name.
The CP in Sheikh Saed was deserted; we noted again how far the bus stop has been removed from the CP.
Driving via the Road of the Americas we reached Ras El Amud and saw that the former police station is in a far stage of demolition and can soon be rebuilt to house more settlers, on the other side of the road the extension of the Ma’aleh Zeitim settlement is nearing completion.
We entered the former PishPash CP by car and were AMAZED at the extent of fortifications and other construction taking place on the spot. A prefab concrete building has been installed for proper investigation and inspection – lots of pipes and hoses still need to be connected. The mound of rubble to reach the blue door has been replaced by a metal ladder, which is a little too short, so it is placed on some blocks. Huge caterpillars were making lots of noise in the process of making this a model CP.
Before we entered Az-Za'ayyem the soldier asked his commander whether we are allowed into the ‘red’ area – there seemed to be ‘no problem’.
An elderly man was washing the windows of the closed mansion across the grocery store. The store itself has been renovated and was manned by children who were extremely friendly and helped us to buy somethings. One of the boys told us he had talked to our ‘friends’ in Beit Khanina.
The Container CP
a long line of cars waited to be allowed in the direction of Bethlehem, but it slowly proceeded and only sporadically a transit or bus were held up, but pretty fast sent on its way.
A pick-up truck was already waiting when we arrived, to go into the direction of Jerusalem and the papers appeared to be in order. Then the ‘merchandise’ was being checked, but we were not allowed to observe.
When we eyed our watch, S., the Commander of the CP, told us that we had 4,5 more minutes. For what? We asked, to complain, because we are allowed to hold anyone up for 20 minutes. When those were long past, we asked what had happened and he said that the three men in the cabin were OK, but that the sheep in the back had Israeli coded tags in their ears and they may be stolen. His commander could not deal with the matter, since he was in a meeting, however, he did ask us to come for a cup of coffee. We politely declined and wondered how he could serve us coffee while in a meeting, but not deal with the sheep. We decided to wait, and either their patience had run out, or they were convinced that we would remain for the night and wanted to get rid of the annoying observers, after an hour and a half the driver was sent on his way and thanked us profusely; again: For What?