Abu Dis, Sheikh Saed, Mon 17.3.08, Afternoon

Sheikh Sa'ad

From 2:00 to 3:00 PM

A day after the riots Jebel Mukabar looked like a ghost town.
 
We spotted a few Border Police jeeps at the top near the Haas Promenade.
There were a lot of soldiers at the CP.
 
The sterile area at the bottom now has a lining of coiled barbed wire, the 'scooter ambulance' has
its own reserved spot. The few yards near the CP where no parking is
allowed has been newly asphalted (with a road-bump) and white arrows
directing traffic. Also up towards Sheikh Sa'ad where a traffic light
has been erected. We were told to remain outside the police fences
initially and talked to a bus driver who informed us that after a
decision of the High Court cars are allowed into the village (in
another two weeks), therefore the improved road with arrows and the
traffic light, a ridiculous sight in the midst of the rubble.
 
The bus driver told us all had been quiet today and warned us not to call the
rioters 'religious', since their behavior has nothing to do with
religion. We asked for permission to enter and after the commander had
talked to his superiors over the phone we were let in through the
cages (separate lanes for entering and exiting pedestrians). The
soldiers didn't give any further explanations re the red traffic light
in front of the two locked yellow metal gates.

We wanted to find out more re the results of the High Court but didn't find anyone who knew  but that 'the lawyer (Lea Tsemel) deals with it' we were told.