Abu Dis & Wadi Nar Tuesday 22 February 2005 AMObservers: Yael L.Y., Hanna A., Ora K. & Michaela R. (reporting)Guests: Marek Halter – an author and essayist living in Paris, and Eytan – a photographerThe shift was from 07:00 to 11:15 Summary: the demolition of a house in Beit Fadji; restricted hours at the Abu Dis District Coordination Office (DCO)Abu Dis – the Cliff Hotel – abandoned and deserted. A Border Police vehicle was driving up there as we left.The Former-Pishpash-Gate – Blocking the road to A-Tur were Jeeps, Border Police soldiers and Israeli police; cars had to take a U-turn. The reason – a house demolition in Beit Fadji. We went on foot, discovering a bleak sight. The building, 4-5 storeys, was unoccupied. A year ago there had been an accident and a building-worker was killed on the site. Seemingly, the reason for the demolition was construction without a permit, but it was occurring on the same day that the JAG announced in the Knesset that house demolitions would end, since they are ineffective. Shocked people surrounding the building watched heavy machinery crushing and demolishing the building’s walls. It took time, and the road remained closed for hours. Meanwhile, at the former-pishpash-gate many people crossed through, mostly without any attention being paid to them by the beefed-up security forces in the area.Al Ezariya - at 09:00, no checkpoint was operating.Wadi Nar - Relatively little traffic in both directions. There were three taxis delayed when we arrived, bound for Bethlehem. Two were quickly released. Two young men from the third taxi were separated from the other passengers and taken to the detainee’s shed. Taxis in the other direction were then delayed. We had to leave before the detainees were released.Abu Dis DCO – As soon as we arrived, the Border Police sentry tried to get us to leave. We were given a frosty reception by another soldier/Border Police soldier who wondered who we were and then announced our presence on the communications system.We should pay regular visits to this remote DCO. Perhaps constant presence will generate change at the level of service to Palestinians, as happened in the Etzion DCO.This DCO has only two windows – one for receiving magnetic cards and one for permits. There is no sign stating opening-hours, but the sentry said they are 09:00 to 14:00. A notice from the Civil Administration’s emergency medical service is posted on a board. The lines are relatively short, no more than ten people each. Physical conditions – a covered area with some chairs. There’s a sign reading ‘Cold Water’, but there was no water container. Only the men’s toilets were open, and they weren’t clean.S. from Al Ezariya was denied a permit. The reason – he is 29 and permits are given from 30 on.A young woman wanted to travel to Jordan. About three years ago, her brother served a sentence in Ramla jail for nine months. Since then both of them are denied movement by the GSS (Shabak). She asked the sentry to talk to the duty officer. He didn’t speak Arabic, and tried to send her away. Another man came and sent her to the DCO windows. The officer took her ID (refused to look at her brother’s ID). Moments later she returned and said that the GSS man in charge was not there. She should come back in two weeks time. Maybe he would speak to her, maybe he’d delete the problem from the computer…No date appeared on her request form for a magnetic card. Later we found out that other forms also lacked dates. Applicants receive a small pink slip (wassal) with the date of the first visit, but there are no updates regarding subsequent visits.A young man in a kaffiyeh held a permit from the Interior Ministry to “receive status in Israel for a citizen of the region – spouse of an Israeli citizen”. To be able to live with his wife, he must get an entry permit within 90 days, otherwise the form is no longer valid. He was also asked to return in two weeks time.