Qalandiya, Wed 4.7.12, Afternoon
Translator: Charles K.
Since we came from two locations, we have two reports.
- The plaza at the entrance to the Atarot industrial zone has been finished, to the greater glory of the state of Israel. Photos attached.
- As use to be the case, right after the turn from Neve Ya’akov to Beit Hanina a Border Police vehicle parks in the middle of the road randomly inspects vehicles.
The construction of the decorative wall at the junction with Highway 443 has almost
been completed. There’s a gap right below the lower road at the junction between the village of Qalandiya and Beit Iqsa (where we used to go down to observe). Maybe a gate is planned there?
The sign says “Qalandiya obstacle” 
(named for the village?!). Since when do they dare use a non-Israeli name…
What’s certain is that no one driving on Highway 443 will notice the road through the tunnel below.
Returning on Highway 443, signs to the Jordan Valley, Beit El, Jerusalem. Beit El must be of the same order of importance.
15:45 The usual traffic jam at the checkpoint at the southern junction, toward Ramallah.
Fenced corridors 1 and 4 are open.
16:00 The A-Ram gate opens briefly, easing the congestion.
Taxi drivers at both locations say the soldiers, and in particular the security staff, curse the drivers. “They curse in the presence of his wife; it’s forbidden to curse in the presence of women.”
A boy on a bicycle inside the checkpoint
.
16:30 The two fenced corridors are open. We crossed relatively quickly.
At the same time, laborers flowed home from working as our hewers of wood and drawers of water, which only heightened again what I felt when I got on the “Ramallah Express” on my way to the checkpoint.
Though the bus drives on the new Pisgat Ze’ev-Neve Ya’akov road, the feeling is of a parallel reality. Two peoples leading lives almost next to one another. As if I’d gone abroad, but I’m only 7-8 minutes from home.