'Anata-Shu'afat, Abu Dis, Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal), Sheikh Saed, Thu 6.6.13, Morning

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Observers: 
Rahel M., Michaela R. (reporting)
Jun-6-2013
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Morning

 

 

Date: 06/06/2013, a.m.

 

In general: Very quiet -- it's the holiday of the prophet's Ascension.
 

6:10 Sheikh Saed
 

Very few crossing, no school children.
 
Olive Terminal
 
We went to observe the progress of construction.  The wall surrounds the hill from north-east to the parking lot, descends to the Wadi and almost reaches the lower road to Az-Za'ayyem.  Sections of the paved road can easily be linked to the road crossing E1. But, as we saw later, this road is properly paved only on the side intended for settlers, and entirely destroyed on the side intended for Palestinians.  On the Palestinian side, the road goes through Area B, and  the Palestinian Authority is responsible for its paving. 
It will be interesting...
At the checkpoint, only one corridor is open.  Even without much traffic, the Palestinian world will forever have to wait at the checkpoint.
 
Anata
 
Quiet, as on a sabbath morning in Jewish quarters.  The transportation lot is empty.
At the pedestrian crossing, two soldiers, male and female, are devouring their breakfast.  Three Palestinian women arrived together with us to be checked.  They displayed their documents and after the usual nod continued to the next turnstile.  But just then, the soldier who was busy chopping her salad took notice and locked the turnstile.  She couldn't understand how the two of us had moved forward without showing documents.  Rachel offered her advice on techniques of fine chopping, and she lowered her eyes and opened the carouse.
This is a regular phenomenon at this checkpoint: soldiers eating when they're supposed to attend to those crossing.  A ridiculous spectacle which honours neither those eating nor those compelled to watch the chewing.