Abu Dis, Container (Wadi Nar), Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal), Sheikh Saed, Sun 6.12.09, Morning

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Observers: 
Hadas A., Anat T. (reporting)
Dec-6-2009
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Morning
6:20 Sheikh Saed

Garbage is overflowing in the garbage tips of Jabel Mukhaber.  Hardly a soul at the checkpoint -- it's Sunday, no schools open at Jabel Mukhaber.  Workers have either been and gone or not yet arrived.

6:45 Zeitim Terminal

Lively traffic but no crowding -- we drive past without stopping.

7:30 Wadi Nar

A traffic jam en route uphill to the checkpoint.  Documents for 2 transits are being checked.  Within 30 minutes the congestion loosens, although transits and even buses are stopped to check documents.  The checks are quick, c. 10 minutes.
 
Maya, the checkpoint dog, is perched on the traffic island, barking indiscriminately and sometimes racing around between the vehicles.  Her puppies were taken away this week.
On the way back we note construction progressing at Kedar -- piles of earth and a bulldozer at work -- such is the scene during the "freeze".  We were unable to get a good photo.
 
8:20 Sheikh Jarrach

Nasser Rawi, now without a protest tent, looks tired and depressed.  He sleeps outdoors, opposite his childhood home now taken over by settlers.  The nights are very cold.  The tent has been destroyed five times to date.  Two international volunteers are sitting with him but they don't participate in the conversation.  Nasser is disappointed in the weak solidarity of intimidated neighbours.  All await further developments.  The settlers have a permit to occupy the house (unoccupied for 10 years), now slated for demolition, in the courtyard of the Kurdi family.   The courtyard is filthy. 

Two armed guards are present, as well as some "hilltop youth."  (Na'arei Hagvaot). The matter is under consideration by the High Court, but Nasser says the Israeli system of justice clearly inclines against Palestinians, even the High Court in whose impartiality Israelis continue to believe.


But Nasser says he's still optimistic, although he also foresees the imminent eruption of a third intifada in Jerusalem, more violent than the previous one.  He tells us his family owned land in Saraphand (today's Tzrifin), and that he still has a Land Registry Office document for two empty dunams which he intends to claim from the state.  After 30 minutes he has visitors from Tantur and we part.

Please do stop by whenever you can, whether on your shift or not, to identify and support; the man is almost entirely alone in his struggle.

We look for the illegal resident in her home.  It is 8 years since her husband submitted a request for family reunion.

We should like to know whether she has made the appropriate inquiries with the depot for civil rights. Our inquiry reveals that she must submit such a request via a lawyer, and even though such permits are no longer issued, submitting the request could act as a warranty against her eviction from her home.  She is not at home, and we leave a note asking her to get in touch.  We shall continue tracking this affair.