Jerusalem

Observers: 9:30-11:30 Idit S., Rachela H. (reporting and filming)
                  11:30-13:00 Rachela H., Tzvia S., Rachel A.

Today is the third Friday morning of Ramadan.  Relative to last year, there is less tension. Police and border-police stand at the intersections and on street corners in relatively small clusters.  There was only one policeman in the space in front of the steps gong down to Nablus Gate, with black "rubber" bullets on his uniform.  We did not see any mounted police, nor did we see any eating in public, rummaging in bags, or inspection of the age of arrivals.

The people arriving appeared to be very excited.  Many cameras, families taking photos, "selfie" sticks.
Police, border police, and a municipal security company (whose name I have forgotten) stand at the entrance to Nablus Gate.
With time, the stream of worshippers increased.

We entered the Old City through Flowers Gate.
People fund-raising for the building of mosques, beggars sitting  on the curbs alongside peddlers of sweetmeats, carpet merchants, all the usual stools, etc. Near the entrance through Bab Hata ushers announce the separation of men and women.  Those in uniform stand aside and do not block the entrance. None are visible on the rooftops.

We went in the direction of Lions' Gate and down to the road (below the Mount of Olives). A police van at the intersection.  Worshippers disembarking from buses. We returned to Lions' Gate and left via the ad hoc market.  The passage to the street is through a space for garbage collection, and the place looked barricaded by dumpsters.  Many worshippers also arrive by this road.

We left before the massive stream of arrivals and returned to Nablus Gate.  A balloon in the sky appears to be invigilating from above. On the street near Nablus Gate two border policemen can be seen carefully inspecting a couple of youths (we did not see their release). Close to the Gate itself another man was checked (hands raised, facing the inspectors); he was released and continued on his way.

Inspection at Nablus Gate.

Idit left and I continued to Jaffa Gate to meet Tzvia and Rachel who had been sent to another observation point.
On the way I passed an area with police horses.  The western roads are closed to traffic, with soldiers positioned nearby.  They explained this was to prevent those arriving in their private cars from parking.                    

It is through Jaffa Gate that many enter: Muslims for Ramadan prayers, Jews for the Wailing Wall, and many tourists, single or in groups.

11:30-13:00 we walked along David Street, Hashalshelet Street, until we were stopped by policemen and not allowed to go further.  One of them recommended going through Cotton Gate, which we did, taking in the smells and colours of the market.  There too another policeman advised us to go elsewhere.
After 12:30 people were still hurrying in the direction of the prayers.

We concluded our shift in Paris Square with posters of "Enough of the Occupation" and "Women in Black" where policemen challenged us demonstrators but were sweet to the opposing blue-white demonstrators brandishing flags.