'Atara, Qalandiya, Mon 27.4.09, Afternoon
Share:
Observers:
Roni H., Ruth F., Tamar F. (reporting and taking pictures)
Apr-27-2009
|
Afternoon
" Kol Ha'aretz Deglim Degalim" (the whole country is filled with flags)
Qalandiya Checkpoint:
16:00- Two inspection posts were active, and soon enough another one had been opened.
-Already used to the Jewish holiday's regulations, those who aren't permitted to pass didn't bother to arrive, and there were no special incidents, until we arrived:
- I took a photo of one of the Big Brother's revolving cameras, and as George Orwall had predicted, it really does see all and documents everything. The turnstiles behind and in front of me were immediately locked, in order that I don't get away with the "classified information".
Since the main reason we go to the checkpoints is to document the Palestinians' experience at the checkpoints, and not our own experience, I'll spear you the details, and just report that after 25 tiresome minutes during which I was caged between the two turnstiles and was threatened, a police force arrived. I was taken into the inner room with a police officer called Shaul, and at the end of all that, and some more events- I was let go.
The Palestinians seemed to enjoy the whole situation in which the army was pestering a Jewish woman, even though during the whole time that lane was closed.
- The peddlers seem to be getting back to work on the north side of the checkpoint.
Ibrahim sells corn, and he had placed his cart at the entrance to the checkpoint, by the soldiers post, he doesn't fear them.
Ibrahim, who live in Bita (by Hebron), tries to make a living where customers are to be found, that is, by Qalandia checkpoint. He rents and apartment at Ar-Ram. During the whole week he stands there trying to convince those standing in the traffic jam to buy his corn. Once in every two weeks he visits his family. He has a large family to provide for: two wives, "two children and four daughters" (as he puts it), and he now had another child on the way.
-A resident from east Jerusalem asked us whether during those long years we had been coming to the checkpoint, our activity had managed to make a change on the Israeli society, and added: "You're not part of the natural view around here, but the important thing is that you come, it's good that people have a chance to see that there is also another kind of Israelis".
17:45- Atara/ Bir Zit checkpoint:
Soldiers from the reserves were manning the checkpoint.
There weren't any long lines. The soldiers didn't pester the drivers, and only asked us that: "If something happens, tack cover behind the cement bricks".
Qalandiya Checkpoint:
16:00- Two inspection posts were active, and soon enough another one had been opened.
-Already used to the Jewish holiday's regulations, those who aren't permitted to pass didn't bother to arrive, and there were no special incidents, until we arrived:
- I took a photo of one of the Big Brother's revolving cameras, and as George Orwall had predicted, it really does see all and documents everything. The turnstiles behind and in front of me were immediately locked, in order that I don't get away with the "classified information".
Since the main reason we go to the checkpoints is to document the Palestinians' experience at the checkpoints, and not our own experience, I'll spear you the details, and just report that after 25 tiresome minutes during which I was caged between the two turnstiles and was threatened, a police force arrived. I was taken into the inner room with a police officer called Shaul, and at the end of all that, and some more events- I was let go.
The Palestinians seemed to enjoy the whole situation in which the army was pestering a Jewish woman, even though during the whole time that lane was closed.
- The peddlers seem to be getting back to work on the north side of the checkpoint.
Ibrahim sells corn, and he had placed his cart at the entrance to the checkpoint, by the soldiers post, he doesn't fear them.
Ibrahim, who live in Bita (by Hebron), tries to make a living where customers are to be found, that is, by Qalandia checkpoint. He rents and apartment at Ar-Ram. During the whole week he stands there trying to convince those standing in the traffic jam to buy his corn. Once in every two weeks he visits his family. He has a large family to provide for: two wives, "two children and four daughters" (as he puts it), and he now had another child on the way.
-A resident from east Jerusalem asked us whether during those long years we had been coming to the checkpoint, our activity had managed to make a change on the Israeli society, and added: "You're not part of the natural view around here, but the important thing is that you come, it's good that people have a chance to see that there is also another kind of Israelis".
17:45- Atara/ Bir Zit checkpoint:
Soldiers from the reserves were manning the checkpoint.
There weren't any long lines. The soldiers didn't pester the drivers, and only asked us that: "If something happens, tack cover behind the cement bricks".