Abu Dis, Container (Wadi Nar), Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal), Sheikh Saed, Thu 29.1.09, Morning

6:30 Shekh Saed

Fast crossing, checking of documents, from time to time coats unfastened.

7:05 Zeitim Crossing

A long line of men in front of the outer turnstile.  Women and children cross separately, and fast.  The turnstile opens once every 5-8 minutes, and the rate of arrivals is greater than the rate of crossing.

At 7:20 a large group of women, mostly young girls, arrives.  In the absence of signs, they queue in the men's line.  Shortly after their arrival the outer turnstile opens again and the line outside diminishes considerably.

The stream of those leaving the checkpoint was constant. 

According to those crossing, the wait is about an hour.  According to our observations, it's about 30 minutes.

Was there a hitch before our arrival?  Or a late opening? Or just a great many people arriving today?

A flying checkpoint

At the exit from the intersection leading from the checkpoint to Route 1 there was a flying checkpoint: a jeep and a few border police.  We crossed quickly, and observed that a young pedestrian was required to show his documents.

8:05 Wadi Nar

Very busy,  traffic flowing, many taxis detained briefly, 2-3 minutes.  Checking was thorough and efficient.  With many security persons checking no lines were formed.