Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal)
Olive Terminal
We reached the checkpoint at 9:15. Very few exiting from the other side. Many "transits" waiting to cross in the direction of the hill.
We crossed to the side of those entering.
The area is swarming with security personnel of every dye: military green, border police, blue police -- but very few Palestinians.
A courteous DCO person informs us that today passage is permitted for women over 40, men over 50, children under 14 -- with permits.
The checkpoint is supposed to cater to residents of Sawahara, Al-Ezariya and Abu Dis.
A tent has been set up for Ramadan where preliminary inspections of documents and permits take place.
The soldiers point to a water container and invite us to partake, but not before the Palestinians.
A few young Palestinians wearing Red Cross coats are waiting with wheelchairs to assist the handicapped and exhausted. We learned that they work as volunteers.
Traffic is very sparse.
10:20: We cross to the "blue" side, not before undergoing meticulous inspection including removal of rings and watches -- no preferential treatment here!
The "transits" and taxi drivers remain unemployed. Only 550 have crossed so far -- a tiny number compared to previous years. Because of the wall, they are unable to see what's happening on the other side, beyond the checkpoint.