including Anata

Anata checkpoint, Abu Dis and Sawahre Sunday 2.1.05 AMObservers: Ofra B. and Sylvia P. (reporting)The shift took place from 6:30 to 9:156:40 – Anata checkpoint –There are many pedestrians. There is a vehicle queue but it advances steadily. 6:50 - Az-Za’ayyem checkpoint – The checkpoint was not manned. Instead of continuing straight in the direction of Ma'ale Adumin, we turned right in order to try and reach the place where the Pishpash Gate transits park nowadays. On our left we see clearly the wall, which ends with a pillbox. The place is open and pedestrian cross and go down the hill. After traveling 100 meters or so, we started asking people about the transit-parking place. Everyone gave us very unclear directions. They said, pointing somewhere with the hand: “it is there, but you will find a lot of mud. It is not worthwhile to go there.” Since we didn’t know if we were even in the right direction, we decided to come back to the main road.7:00 – Ma'ale Adumim Checkpoint – A long queue of vehicles and a big group of detainees. The vehicles don’t move at all, but after we started asking questions, the queue began to move. Even then, the soldiers worked very slowly. Every car that reached them passed without any checking. However, it took a long time till they made a sign to the following car to approach them. We didn’t really know whom to call from that checkpoint. We called the Ezion DCO, we described the situation, and they said they would check. After a short time most of the detainees were sent to their way, but the cars still moved very slowly. We called the DCO several times and they said: “It is really bad”. But, nothing changed. “The dogs bark and the convoy passes.”We called Dan Goldenblat – but, he couldn’t do anything at that time. We also called Lieutenant-Colonel Ilan Dayan, following Yehudit E.’s advice, but he was not there.We talked with several passengers who approached us and they told that those queues are a daily matter. Therefore, we thought it would be worthwhile to handle it after the shift - to ask Dan Goldenblat and Lieutenant-Colonel Ilan Dayan to investigate what is happening there. But, we didn’t do anything. 8:00 – Sawahre checkpoint (the container) – The iron rod obstructions were opened. The checkpoint was also open and the crossing was smooth. There were a few detainees and we were able to almost approach them without getting any remarks. Nevertheless, we didn’t really arrive to their place since we didn’t want to harm them. We didn’t want that they would wait longer because of us. And indeed they were released very quickly and we traveled to Abu Dis.8:15 – The Pishpash Gate at Abu Dis – There was no BP presence. Very few pedestrians crossed through the Monastery. We met a teacher from the French School in Neviim St., who ordered a taxi from West Jerusalem. There is no sign of the Palestinian transits, which we were used to. Red and white marks on the sidewalk margins were still shining. But there is nobody to fine.