The Separation Barrier
Silwan was occupied by Israel in the 1967 war, and was subsequently annexed to the Greater Jerusalem. Although this annexation has been proclaimed as illegal by the international community including the United States, and East Jerusalem is likely to become an integral part of the future Palestinian state, Israel has built the separation barrier east of Silwan, attempting to create a fait accompli of its sovereignty.
 The Seperation Wall in East Jerusalem |
The separation barrier has left Silwan disconnected from the rest of the occupied territories and its bordering villages of Abu-Dis and Al-Azariyeh. The 8-meter-high wall which constitutes the main form of barrier around Jerusalem, can be seen on top of the eastern mountains, cutting a once bustling road which used to lead through Ras El-Amud and into Abu-Dis and Al-Azariyeh.
The residents of Abu-Dis and Al-Azariyeh, who became stranded on the eastern side of the wall, must take a long detour in order to visit their families, attend the Friday prayers at the Al-Aqsa mosque, rush in need to hospitals, or find jobs in East Jerusalem. However, due to a stringent system of permits and restrictions of movement, most have found themselves imprisoned behind the wall, unemployed and without the authorization to commute. Only in their deaths are they allowed to travel west and be buried in Jerusalem.