Abu Dis, Container (Wadi Nar), Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal), Thu 14.8.08, Morning

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Observers: 
Yehudith S., Michaelia R. (reporting) and Marie Daumier, AFP journalist
Aug-14-2008
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Morning
5:20  Zeitim Crossing

A very long line, almost reaching the canopy.  Waiting time, 10-12 minutes, is relatively short, considering the vast number of people crossing.
When we approached the exit turnstile we met the security guard who announces loudly on the wireless that he has found us.  A few minutes later the checkpoint commander, Yossi Almog, exits the turnstile.  He tells us that the situation at his post is OK because he makes a point of opening the checkpoint at 4:30, half-an-hour before regulation time, to avoid crowding.

6:00

Wadi Nar

Busy traffic flowing, random checks, detentions few and short.  Once in a while the line from Bethlehem gets backed up.  A garbage truck from the direction of Bethlehem drives along a special lane and collects the soldiers' grabage.


 
A driver who descended from his taxi to stretch his legs is met with loud reprimands.  The man who obviously does not understand Hebrew, even less when it's shrieked, is slow to obey, and this leads to a personal and educational "talk" on the part of the border policeman who could have been the man's son or even grandson.  We moved in the direction of the taxi, and the security guard complained loudly of the intrusion on his privacy. He demanded why we were eavesdropping and when we said this was a public space open to all, we were told that this was not public space.  But he quickly lost interest.

 
7:30 A-Za'ayem Checkpoint

Instead of the bar which lifts to open the way after the check is over,  there is now a frightening row of spikes on the road, operated by remote control.

Documents of the minibus passengers are checked in the jeep while all the passengers descend. At this checkpoint only holders of blue ID's or representatives of international organizations, are allowed to pass, but Palestinians  with permits must cross on foot at the Zeitim checkpoint.

 
Suddenly, the entire checkpoint is closed.  Metals bars came down, one of them landing on a car, and the alarm system went on.  Subsequently we learned that a settler had been annoyed by the request to present documents, and the policemen had closed the checkpoint while he calmed down. We were told that most of the problems at the checkpoint are created by settlers, mostly residents of Ma'aleh Adomim, whereas the Palestinians are familiar with procedures and know what to do.

 
Again we were shouted at to stop filming.  We produced our documents and once again it turned out that the man who shouted had no authority at all in the administration of the checkpoint.  Again an older military man came up to us and told us we could stay in the area and film, but without disturbing.