View from Jerusalem

Photojournalist and MEE contributor Faiz Abu Rmeleh on the ground in East Jerusalem: 

"Citizens are complaining about the collective punishment policy [of the closures and restrictions]. Not only because of the closure, but because they have led to huge traffic within neighbourhoods, especially in the mornings and the afternoons; the time when students, workers and employees go back home."

"Moreover, they say they are annoyed by the provocative inspection of individuals in the city [by Israeli security services]. Women and children have not been exempted from them. Individuals are getting stopped and their IDs are being taken. Men are being asked to raise their clothes and in some cases, take them off - in addition to the shoes - in front of other passers-by. This happens without taking the feelings [of those being searched] into account. Women’s bags are being strictly checked."