Abu Dis, Sheikh Saed, Fri 5.10.07, Morning

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Observers: 
Claire A., Leah A.
Oct-5-2007
|
Morning

Friday, fourth in the month of Ramadan.


Sheikh Saed
:
 
09:00 - The place keeps changing shape. Work on infrastructure has begun. The generator and fuel container have been moved to the eastern side of the CP. Red plastic pipes protrude from holes in the ground. Later we were told that a crossing similar to the other crossings in Jerusalem is planned, but much smaller of course. Judging by develpments and by what the residents say, the Supreme Court has accepted the IDF's appeal, and the separation obstacle will be installed (Does anyone have concrete information about the decision? We were unable to find any in our searches.)

A., the CP commander, approaches us to explain that today we will not be able to cross into Sheikh Saed. He requests that we remain on the side near the exit. According to him, entry into Sheikh Saed will endanger us and the soldiers, and will interfere with their work. There are 5 security personnel at the CP, among them 2 guards and a soldier in the tower.

During this time some 10 men await at the curve beyond the CP, apparently too young to meet the criteria required today to cross for prayer. Others, older or equipped with the necessary permits, cross.

This week too, a number of officers on patrol arrive, including S. and U. and another officer probably in the process of overlapping. They say they cannot overrule A.'s decision to prevent us from crossing. At 09:15 they leave.

Traffic at the CP gradually increases. A group of young women is waiting in the shade beyond the CP.

We call P.C., the battalion commander, about our removal from the residents. He says he will check the matter.

10:10 - some 10 mins. after our conversation with P., A. announces he will let us cross, but asks us to stand next to a Mitsubishi parked some 20 metres down the road, or near the vehicle parked uphill.

Residents tell us that next Friday may be Id El-Fitr, i.e. the holiday might begin on Friday or Saturday, depending on the moon. In that case, today would be the last Friday of Ramadan, which is why some of the residents are desperate to get to prayers. Some have not been to Al-Aqsa at all this Ramadan, others only once.

U. returns for a short patrol inside Sheikh Saed. Two soldiers newly arrived, circle on the road west of the CP.

10:45 - The line lengthens, some 40 residents wait in the area. A group of adult men but evidently too young to cross today waits on the road. One of them says he may cross, but will not do so - his act of resistance for today. Others, mainly young, continue to wait in the hope that towards prayer-time something might change after all. A group of young women tries again and again to approach A., one woman at a time.

11:00 - We left.


Abu Dis
:

11:20 - On the right, facing east, a car is parked. A detained man sits on a concrete block next to a soldier who is filling out forms. The soldiers say he is a Palestinian resident of the occupied territories, driving the car of his wife who is a resident of East Jerusalem. They say they are not making out a ticket, only detaining him until his wife arrives to collect the vehicle, and explaining that according to the law those who are not Israeli citizens are not permitted to drive an Israeli vehicle. Actually, they recall that there are tourists with international driving licenses who are allowed to drive in Israel - but Palestinians of course are not tourists. Within a few minutes the wife arrives along with two daughters, and the family leaves in the car.

An army jeep is parked next to the CP, and a few minutes later another vehicle arrives with lunch for the 7 soldiers there.

An elderly man wishes to cross. He is not on the list and the soldiers tell him he must cross at the Zeitim CP. We inquire why this is necessary - clearly he is elderly, not in good health, and would have been allowed to cross at Zeitim CP. According to the soldiers' logic, he should have set off earlier, the insufficient time left to reach prayers is not their concern.