Abu Dis, Container (Wadi Nar), Ras Abu Sbitan (Olive Terminal), Sheikh Saed, Thu 27.5.10, Morning

Ora K. , Michaela R. (reporting)

In general: difficulties for school children crossing .
6:45 Sheikh Saed

Crossing calm

7:15 Zeitim Crossing

In front of the outside turnstile there is no line.  In the two inner lanes there is a line of c. 15 persons.  Crossing takes roughly 15 minutes, and is conducted quietly.

It is in the third lane -- the children's lane -- that crossing is very slow and crowded.  As their time runs short, some of them move to the other lanes.

We called the commander, Almog, who tried to convince us that all is perfect, crossing orderly, no child will be late for school; and if not, that's because the children are pushing and rowdy.   We failed to observe such an idyllic scene.

8:00 Wadi Nar

We found a detained minibus when we arrived.  It was released 15 mins. later.  Also a taxi, released after a couple of minutes.  Most of the traffic flows unchecked.