Abu Dis, Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal), Sheikh Saed, Silwan, Wed 10.11.10, Morning

6:45  Sheikh Sa'ed
 
Loads of garbage lie scattered on the sides of the road descending west from Jabal Mukhaber (the southern side, schools), although the garbage tips are not full.  A call to the municipality produces a promise to send someone to clean up tomorrow (something that happens three times a week, they claim).
 
At the checkpoint there is a greater number of border policemen than we remember from the past, but passage is unimpeded and quick.  The familiar routine of a few permitted and many forbidden to cross to Jabel Mukhaber, the adjacent neighbourhood, without a special permit.
 
There's a partial canopy over the path near the magnometer.  It does not reach as far as the round coffee table on which all place their beeping belongings.  We remember last winter when the table was wet and those crossing were expected to place their laptops and cellphones in pools of water, and we call the DCO to ask them to take care of this before the rains come.
 
 
7:30  Silwan
 
The condition of the road indicates that there were no special problems yesterday -- when there are riots the road is spattered with large rocks.  Going up to Ein Hilwe we meet a team digging on the western side of the road, a precautionary dig which grew out of digs to lay down water and sewage pipes, and communication.  The dig is covered, and the archaeologist in charge tells us that remains of houses and a street from the 11th century A.D. have been found, but she does not believe this will hinder the work on infrastructure.  The problems begin when bones are uncovered.  Surprisingly, she tells us she knows nothing of the archaeological tunnels dug by the Elad settlers to discover the route by which King Solomon walked to the Temple -- an issue foregrounded in the "60 minutes" report aired a fortnight ago on Channel 1.  Is it really possible she doesn't know?  Such ignorance makes one wonder, although we don't think the work on the Ein HIlwe road is related to the settlers' efforts.
 
No traffic obstructions on the road where only traffic going up to the Temple Mount is allowed; not even policemen at the exit to the road along the wall.
 
 
8:00  Abu Dis, Lazarus checkpoint (closed to kindergarten children), Zeitim Crossing
 
We drive past all these; no evidence of detainees or unusual traffic.
 
 
8:15  The new police station opposite Ma'aleh Adumim
 
At the request of the police team we drove there to check it out: how many waiting, where they come from, how long it takes to deal with the usual problems.  During our stay (until 9:15), many cars drove up to the new and well-appointed compound, all workers at the station, it seems; only one yellow Palestinian transit in the parking lot.  The hour is probably too early.
 
We were not allowed in, but sat solitary in the small and air-conditioned waiting room outside the compound.  We asked to speak to someone and they sent Gili A., the district spokesman, a nice young man from Kfar Saba who had served formerly in Tel-Aviv.  He told us of the traffic regulations of the  district, the egalitarian attitude to Israelis and Palestinians involved in accidents or perpetrating traffic misdemeanors on the Jericho and West Bank roads.  He said the ratio of fines for Jews  and Palestinians was roughly 50/50.  We challenged him to comment on the differences he perceives between traffic police in Tel-Aviv and the West Bank, but he did not provide any insights.
 
We strongly recommend the noon-time shifts going to Wadi Nar visit the place.  The police-station is open until 15:00.