Qalandiya, Wed 14.12.11, Morning

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Place: 
Observers: 
Pnina H., Ronni P.
Dec-14-2011
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Morning

Transl. Judith Green

We arrived at the checkpoint at 5:15, and we observed the following:

1.  People were climbing all over each other and onto the roofs and shouting as loudly as possible.  People totally lost control and didn't even pay attention to their companions.  A sight which did not encourage empathy.
2.  As usual, only 3 sleeves were open and the gatesinfo-icon were open for only short periods.

The situation described in no. 1 was caused by no. 2.

We are all aware that the layer of civilization which preserves the principles of proper behavior is very thin and only needs a small trigger to crack.  Try to prevent parents from bringing bread for their children, or damage a man's honor, and the envelope of civilized behavior is broken and "man becomes a man-eating wolf".  Sadly, there is no longer any point in talking about the humiliation of human beings rooted in the situation:  the fencing in of those passing through, the threatening stance of the guards on the other side of the fence, sad!  And all that is left for us to do is to report! that the situation de-humanizes.

Last week, we reported about the positive influence that a sensitive  and courteous officer contributes to the behavior of the people passing through the checkpoint, when there is precision in the opening times of the turnstyles.  People stand in line in a civilized way, don't jump over fences, don't shove and are even ready to be grateful for a day during which the passage through is efficient and proper.  But today we stood there helplessly, and with no answer to the dozens of people from whom the energetic guard confiscated permits, as a punishment for climbing on the fences and pushed their way into the line.  All they needed to say was, because of the long and unreasonable delay during their passage, they wouldn't get to work on time, and they would be dismissed and that was what was forcing them to trespass the rules of conduct of civilized people.  When people relate to you as someone uncultured, you begin to accept the image.  We heard the suffering of a teacher in Jerusalem, who stood there with his 3 children at the gate which was supposed to be "humanitarian" and for sick people, elders and teachers, but, in fact, it was just like all the other gates.  Your heart broke to see the frightened faces of his children!  "Day after day we need to pass through this nightmare!  How can you develop any kind of human relationship across an iron fence?"  I don't have any answer, do you?

While I was writing this report, I got a call from  Ronny P. who talked on the phone with one of the people whose permit was confiscated and he told her that the permits which were confiscated today would be permanently confiscated.