Since 2001 we have observed dozens of army checkpoints on paved and unpaved roads in the West Bank, the Jordan Valley and along the Separation Fence; Civil Administration offices which grant permits to Palestinians; and military courts trying Palestinian prisoners. We stand at the checkpoints observing the behavior of soldiers and Palestinians without interfering, intervening only when soldiers behave offensively to Palestinians. Then we try to speak to the soldiers themselves or telephone...

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Abu Dis, Container (Wadi Nar), Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal), Sheikh Saed, Thu 29.3.12, Morning

Date: 29/03/2012 ,Morning

Observers: Rahel M., Netta A., Michaela R. (reporting)

Container (Wadi Nar)

Wadi Nar ("Container"/"Kiosk") - A permanently-manned vehicle checkpoint in Area B – east of Abu Dis between Sawahira a-Sharqiya and Bethlehem and satellites. The checkpoint controls Palestinian traffic between the northern and southern West Bank. It contains traffic lanes, access roads, spiked barriers, traffic lights and signs. Pedestrians are not permitted to cross there. It operates 24 hours a day; inspections are conducted randomly and also in response to security alerts.

Close description

Generally: there is a deterioration at the Olive Terminal; the lines are long and so is the waiting time.

6:10 Sheikh Saed

There are c.10 persons in the corridor, children cross without standing in line. The inspection of adult documents is very slow.

Two pupils wait in front of the turnstile to enter into Sheikh Saed, but the personnel in the booth don't notice them until alerted by someone crossing. In order to let them pass, the routine checks are interrupted, the pupils are asked a number of questions before they depart and the checkpoint returns to routine.

7:00 Olive Terminal

Some 50 wait in front of the outside turnstile, with long and closely packed lines in the corridors inside. The turnstiles open from time to time.

At around 7:15 the outside turnstiles begin to open more frequently, and at 7:30 the outside turnstile opens for pupils. By 7:40 the line disappears, but inside dozens still wait at each checking booth. The time of crossing, from arrival to inspection is around 30 minutes.

We directed a man whose brother is prevented by the Operations Departmet ("Ag'am") to the team that deals with overturning such prevention.

8:20 Wadi Nar

On arrival we found two vehicles, headed for Bethlehem, detained. One was quickly released, the other took longer. A detainee, very young, remained in the shelter.

Later more taxis headed for Bethlehem are detained, mostly for a few moments.

When we realized we couldn't assist the detainee, we moved away from the checkpoint. From a distance, we saw him led to the booth. We returned to see him taken back to the shelter. It wasn't clear whether our presence prolonged the detention or prevented a harsher treatment of the detainee.