Abu Dis, Container (Wadi Nar), Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal), Sheikh Saed, Wed 13.8.08, Morning
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Observers:
Anat T., Keren S. (Technion student writing a dissertation on the fence), Shira V. (reporting)
Aug-13-2008
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Morning
7:15 Sheikh Sa'ad
The checkpoint is calm and traffic is very sparse.
8:30 Zeitim Crossing
We entered the checkpoint. Only one track was open and crossing was very slow. Within a few minutes 30 people had gathered. We called the checkpoint commander. He said there was an "inner problem" and that another track would be opened. After a few minutes, it was opened. Altogether 25 minutes passed from our arrival to the opening. Even after that crossing was slow.
Gregory arrived to talk to us and explain that the x-ray machine in the second track was not working and that he had to fix it (waiting for the technicians can take a few days).
All this while the track to the DCO was open, and a few people next to it were waiting. One of them told us that the DCO serves only the residents of Ezariya, and that all the residents of Abu Dis and the rest of the surroundings must travel to Jericho for service. We will look into this in the coming weeks.
During our conversation with Gregory a man arrived to say he was a resident of the Old City (by dint of family reunions, originally he's from Hebron), and that his biometric on that day did not work. We referred him to Hebron to arrange the biometric again, this after he had done so, he says, a month and half ago. As a gesture of goodwill to our presence, Gregory allowed him to cross to Jerusalem today, telling him that before his next entry he would have to arrange the matter in Hebron. We did not receive a satisfactory answer to oour question whether and how a biometric could be arranged at the Zeitim Crossing DCO.
10:00 Wadi Nar
Traffic is sparse, and flowing. The checkpoint appears calm and quiet.