Sheikh Saed, Silwan
In the morning, and on the face of things, Jerusalem-of- checkpoints appears tranquil -- the violent reality is revealed in the Facebook site 0202
6:45 Sheikh Saed
For most pupils the spring vacation is not over, only a few girls crossing and traffic is sparse. The soldiers don't detain, and don't overdo checking. The constructed checkpoint is still empty, and people cross around it. Only the signs keep getting upgraded -- a new eye-catching "Stop" over the gate to the road going up the hill, a gate that's always closed and locked.
7:15 The American road and Silwan
The streets are pretty empty, with no presence of soldiers, policemen or vans. The surface tranquillity is belied by the 0202 site (https://www.facebook.com/0202updates?fref=photo) which "portrays the diversity of daily life in East Jerusalem through local newspaper reports" and reveals an entirely different reality in the Old City: nightly arrests, house demolitions, tear gas around schools at the hours of dismissal, and much more. A fascinating site for those who wish to learn more about the goings on here.
7:45 A-Tur
The presence of border-police vans along the central Olive Road has been reduced. One group stands opposite the boys' high school, facing the headmaster and his deputy receiving the arriving pupils. From conversation with them, we learn that friction continues, mainly during the hours when pupils leave the school.