Abu Dis, Wadi Nar

Abu Dis, Wadi Naar, Tuesday, May 17th, 2011 p.m.

Observers: Chana G., Julia W., Rahel W. reporting

Traffic moved quickly and without incident at Wadi Naar.

However, there have been several changes in traffic conditions which could affect our teams.

The road from Qedar to Wadi Naar is marked as one way -- in the direction from Wadi Naar to Qedar. (We travelled this road, against the arrows without incident, but this could change).

At the Wadi Naar intersection, there are new signs pointing to Ramallah and Abu Dis from Wadi Naar toward the Qedar intersection. However, the road was blocked!!! so the signs indicated travel that could not happen.

Also, the road from Wadi Naar toward Azariah had a new sign indicating that traffic was allowed only from Azariah toward Wadi Naar. (Vehicles continued to travel in both directions while we were there).

Finally, a new building has been under construction south of the checkpoint. Perhaps this will become a permanent crossing area like A Zeitun and Qalandiya, even though this would be constructed right in the middle of two Palestinian areas. Who knows?

There was a large group of workers returning when we were there and vans lined up to take them to their destinations.

Once again, a quiet, uneventful shift.

Shu'afat-Anata

The Shu’afat checkpoint is located in the northern part of East Jerusalem at the exit from the village of Anata and the Shu’afat refugee camp, which are located in the area annexed to Jerusalem in 1967. The refugee camp borders the Shu’afat neighborhood to the west, Pisgat Ze’ev to the north, the French Hill neighborhood to the south and the planned expansion of Ma’aleh Adumim to E-1 in the east. It was established in 1966 for 1948 refugees from the West Bank and was populated after the Six Day War by persons who had been expelled from the Jewish Quarter. Today its population comprises some 25,000 people holding blue ID cards and some 15,000 people with Palestinian ID cards. The camp lacks adequate infrastructure and services, and suffers from poverty, neglect and overcrowding. All its buildings are connected to the public electricity and water infrastructure, but not all are connected to the sewer system. The camp’s services are provided by UNRWA, except for those such as health clinics and transportation of pupils to schools in Jerusalem. In 2005, the Israeli High Court of Justice rejected a suit by the residents requesting that the route of the separation fence be drawn such that the camp would remain on the Israeli side, but conditioned its approval of the route on the establishment of a convenient and rapid crossing facility for the inhabitants of the neighborhood, most of whom are residents of Jerusalem.

A temporary checkpoint operated there until December, 2011. It was extremely congested during rush hours, and dangerous for pedestrians (especially children) because of inadequate safety provisions. The new checkpoint was inaugurated south of the old one, for public and private transportation and for pedestrians, intended solely for the residents of the camp – holders of blue ID cards, and those with Palestinian ID cards who possess appropriate permits. There are five vehicle inspection stations at the checkpoint, and two for pedestrians (one of which is currently closed) where scanners have been installed but are not yet operating. According to the army, representatives of government agencies will also be present to provide services to residents of the neighbourhood. The pedestrian lanes are very long, located far from the small parking lots, and accessible through only a single revolving gate.

Oct-3-2021

Tamar Fleishman

A gravestone in memory of the boy Muhammad Abu Khadir

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Abu Dis / Lazarus gate (formerly The Wicket)

Lazarus Checkpoint/Gate (east of the former “wicket”)

Construction of the wall in the Abu Dis area blocked all the gaps that allowed people to cross from al-Ezariya to the neighbourhoods of Abu Dis and Ras al 'Amud that are located within Jerusalem’s municipal boundary. The Lazarus checkpoint is a gate in the wall adjacent to the Lazarus Monastery. Until 2011 it had a door for pilgrims to al-Ezariya and for the monastery’s kindergarten pupils from al-Ezariya. The crossing is currently closed, but the site has infrastructure for conducting inspections.

Sheikh Sa'ad

A checkpoint limited to pedestrians, located on Jerusalem’s municipal boundary.

The checkpoint sits on the separation fence at the entrance to Sheikh Sa’ad, dividing it from its neighbourhood of Jabel Mukkabar. It’s manned by Border Police soldiers and private security companies and operates 24 hours a day. Palestinians are forbidden to go through, other than residents of Jabel Mukkabar or Sheikh Sa'ad who have permits. Both groups are permitted through only on foot. Residents of East Jerusalem who don’t live in Jabel Mukkabar are also allowed to cross to Sheikh Sa’ad, but not in the opposite direction; they must return through the Sawahira ash Sharqiya checkpoint.

'Anata-Shu'afat, Abu Dis, Sheikh Saed, Thu 19.4.12, Morning

A gravestone in memory of the boy Muhammad Abu Khadir