Jerusalem: tour and meetings at the southern part of town Worrisome condolence visit

Meeting with N. at Sheikh Sa’ed Checkpoint, Nof Zion neighborhood at Jabal Mukabar, Southern American Road, Mazmoria Checkpoint, blockages on “Lieberman” Road to Tekqo’a, condolence visit with N. and her children at outskirts of Al Khader

Sheikh Sa’ed Checkpoint - Ronny, the Jerusalemite who “came down to the coastal plane”, is shocked by the gray fortress of the checkpoint she had known years ago without the concrete structure, without a closed wall and huge fences. She reminisces with N. about the trial at the District Court that ruled on closing the wall from the mother-neighborhood of Jabel Mukaber. But as we know, eventually the Supreme Court accepted the petition of the ‘security’ system about the danger awaiting the hilltop neighborhood and legitimized the route to separate the neighborhood as Area B. Sheikh Sa’ed has perhaps been the quietest checkpoint in Jerusalem for the past twenty years, unlike the mother-neighborhood of Jabel Mukaber which has produced several suicide terrorist attackers.

N. tells us about the harsh economic conditions in Sheikh Sa’ed. The only people allowed through the checkpoint towards Jabel Mukaber and Jerusalem are holders of blue (Israeli residents) IDs (about 60%) as well as school children (there is only a single elementary school in the neighborhood), teachers, physicians and workers of the health system. Only patients holding a transit permit on their way to surgery at Muqasad Hospital are allowed through. People headed for examinations and lighter procedures than surgery are not allowed through. All other services must be undergone in the West Bank and the way there is long and winding. One is not allowed to pass goods from Jerusalem through the checkpoint, they have to go through A-Za’im checkpoint on the Ma’ale Adumim Road and are more expensive because of this detour.

He tells us that another struggle is now unfolding. The Jerusalem Municipality and the water company Ha-Gichon have decided to transfer the sewage from East Talpiot to the oxidizing pools that will be constructed in the Qidron Valley right under Sheikh Sa’ed and in its farmland. He shows us the works in Qidron from afar and tells us something interesting: the Jerusalem Municipality is now legally entangled with Ha-Gichon company about the route of the sewage pipe. At present it is planned to run right under the checkpoint itself! Except for these pools, there is also the intention of passing the sewage of Meah She’arim ultraorthodox neighborhood through the Qidron, and thus Sheikh Sa’ed slope and some of the neighborhood will become a central, vibrant junction of sewage from West Jerusalem neighborhoods.

The only good piece of news we heard from N. is that the Jerusalem Envelope DCO is answering calls from Palestinians when problems arise at the checkpoint, and takes care of them. We were glad to hear that, for we are no longer entitled to answers…

Nof Zion neighborhood is right next to the Jabel Mukaber houses and expands on the slope above Silwan. It really offers a beautiful view. We were told that the apartments are sold especially to the American-Jewish public. A hotel and other constructions are already being planned.

The Southern American Road - a great road, huge bridge, amazing development. Publicity says it shortens the way from Jerusalem to the West Bank. But who uses it and where does it lead? See important destinations in the photo below.

Mazmuria Checkpoint for holders of blue IDs only.

Beyond it there is no traffic pressure on Road 398, the “Lieberman” Road that leads to Teqo’a and Noqdim settlments as well as their more southern offshoots. Before the war Palestinians driving from the northern West Bank could come from Wadi Nar Checkpoint on winding tracks and connect to the southern Road 60 to Hebron and the southern parts of the West Bank. No longer. Entrances to this road from Palestinian communities are now blocked with boulders, concrete slabs, metal gates and at times simply offensive dirt dykes. The Palestinians can drive only to Bethlehem on a narrow lower road (‘fiber of life’ road) and from there get stuck in the traffic jams of Bethlehem and exit through the only checkpoint open to them towards Nashash Junction, driving from there to the southern West Bank.

We photographed several blocked exits and entrances of Palestinian localities along Roads 398 and 356 to Teqo’a, and on 3157 from Teqo’a to Efrat. The latter passes Palestinian Tuqu’a on the main road, and includes a post with soldiers and their drawn guns, and another three unmanned posts. Later there is also a flying checkpoint checking trucks, and waiting lines form. A settlers’ bus is extracted from this jam and is parked next to the soldiers. Ronny, Kamal and I assume various explanations. Perhaps in order not to be harmed by hostile elements in the traffic jam…

A condolence visit to N. and her seven children at Al Khader/outskirts of southern Efrat, after her husband/their father died of cancer. We did not see him much, they always said he was ill and hospitalized. Naturally he did not contribute to the family’s livelihood.

It was sad. N. whom we admire looked very concerned about the future: sources of livelihood, and the demolition order, issued to the beautiful house renovated by volunteers of various associations, that might materialize surprisingly any day. We have seen it happen everywhere lately. It is frightening.

The five charming girls looked especially depressed - the oldest is 16 now. What will become of them? We saw family photos, brought refreshments and Kamal brought an olive oil jerrycan and two sacks of rice. We spoke on the phone with H., who actually represents AMOS association and others and is the acting contractor of the renovation. Perhaps he could help. We must influence the Civil Administration not to demolish this house. It would be the cruelest thing to do. How Does one go about it? Approach the Minister of Defense? Who would listen to us at this time?