Abu Dis, Container (Wadi Nar), Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal), Sheikh Saed, Mon 23.2.09, Morning

Sheikh Saed 

Very few pedestrians, mostly young schoolchildren.

Not having been in this area for a number of months, C.S. was particularly struck by the ‘improvements,’ i.e., all the extra barriers – particularly considering that so few people are allowed to use this machsom anyway.

Also impressive was the increase in the amount of garbage, which even before was considerable.

Abu Dis 

Totally deserted.

Zeitim Terminal 
 
We were approached by a man whose friend had been refused a permit .  He knew that Sylvia was the person to contact and we gave him her phone number.

People coming out of the checkpoint complained that there was a ‘balagan’ and that it had taken ages to pass through.  We therefore went in ourselves to see.  Joining the longest of the three lines we found it took 10-15 minutes to go through.  True, we were waved through and did not have to remove belt or shoes as some of the men did.

Wadi Nar

 There were four taxis parked, obviously having been detained.  In the 15 minutes we were there, one driver had his i.d. returned and drove off. The others were still there when we left.  Generally, there seemed to be a sporadic, arbitrary and superficial checking of vehicles.