'Anata-Shu'afat, Al-Ezariya, Container (Wadi Nar)

The Issawiyya checkpoint at Mt. Scopus was manned by just two soldiers when we first visited (at about 2:00 p.m.)  When we passd by again some two hours later, there were five military vans parked there and an increased number of military personnel.

Issawiyya checkpoint into French Hill.  Several border police on guard.  Little traffic.

Anata:  There was a huge backup of traffic entering Anata.  All vehicles were being checked.   assumed it was because of the murderer of the young woman on Otniel still not apprehended.   

Issawiyya checkpoint leading to road to Maaleh Adumim.  Unmanned.  Unchanged.

Al Ezariya is looking seedier by the day.  Several years back, thanks to contributions by USAid there was a real effort to spruce up the area.  It has now fallen back into disrepair

Road to Wadi Naar:  Continued building and large construction machinery in the area that was once a Bedouin camp.  The Bedouin are squeezed into a small encampment.  We have still not been able to ascertain just what is going on there, but it is a huge project. 

The road to Wadi Naar is now open once again.  However the checkpoint was empty.  There were soldiers on duty, but almost no vehicles going in either direction.  The checkpoint, which we had not visited for some time, is now more elaborate – resembling other checkpoints like the ones on Route 443.  More of a sense of permanence.

On the way back to Jerusalem, there was a long line at the checkpoint.  We assume that this line, like the one at Anata was related to the fugitive still on the loose.