'Anata-Shu'afat, Tue 21.2.12, Morning

Translator: Charles K.

We came to the checkpoint to see whether we could help after the serious accident in which six kindergartners from Anata-Shu’afat were killed.

We unfortunately learned that another child, aged 5, died in the hospital. The funeral is this afternoon. We decided to try to organize a condolence visit to the “mourning tent” on Wednesday or Thursday.

We heard from very angry residents. The Magen David ambulance arrived from the edge of town in twelve minutes, while the Palestinian ambulance arrived only after an hour and a half. To save money, the children’s school hired a bus from the territories whose insurance and maintenance were doubtful. We also heard that a few years ago residents had donated land to build a school for pre-school age children within the locality – but the Jerusalem municipality didn’t hurry to construct it and in the interim criminals took over the land and built there without permits.

On the other hand, we heard praises for the Qalandiya DCO which immediately issued 00-00 permits (which aren’t limited to specific hours) to a father whose injured child was hospitalized in Jerusalem. We also heard about social workers who were immediately sent to talk with and help the shocked residents and the little children who had survived.

How sad.