'Anata-Shu'afat, 'Isawiya (East Jerusalem), Al-Ezariya, Container (Wadi Nar)

Anata: 

There were a lot of buses coming to and leaving the area bringing school children on their way home.  Traffic moved freely through the checkpoint in both directions:

Isawiya:  No changes.  The exit to Mt. Scopus remains blocked.  As mentioned in a previous report, a stretch of ribbon has been placed across what was one the exit – in addition to the concrete stone blocking the way.  It would still be possible for a motorcycle to maneuver its way through the side, but the exit for cars is impossible.

Azariah:  In spite of the intense heat and this being during Ramadan, the roads were unusually crowded.  Lots of people doing their shopping in preparation for iftar.   This town, which a few years ago had a real facelift, thanks to donations by US Aid and others, is becoming more and more of a garbage dump.  It is hard to describe the mountains of crushed vehicles and discarded rubbish that line the roads.

En route to Wadi Nar.  The large area from which the Bedouin were evacuated and on which considerable infrastructure work had been done remains unchanged.  We still have no idea the reason for the evacuation and what will be done with this area or to whom it belongs. 

Little has changed in the last weeks.