Qalandiya, Tue 17.7.12, Morning
Translator: Charles K.
06:05 There’s tension in the shed where people wait, of the kind that hasn’t been felt for a while. For two months the entire system has made an effort to improve the inspection and crossing procedure, but the crowded, congested lines are back and many people sit waiting on benches until things are calmer. The shed is filthy, the floor covered with refuse.
It’s all because of one revolving gate which, according to those waiting, has been out of order for a few days. It’s the left-most revolving gate, closest to the glass cube.
People who see the two crowded, congested lines go to the left-most lane, hoping the gate will begin operating. You never know, and many revolving gates
had stopped operating in the past. But this time the breakdown is real, and those waiting there move disappointedly and angrily to the other lines, increasing the pressure. A soldier loudly announces, in Hebrew, that the revolving gate is out of order, but it’s impossible to understand what he says. Finally Ina suggests making the announcement in Arabic – that works, and those waiting there move away. But new people immediately arrive and the same thing recurs until a police officer hurries out and blocks the revolving gate with plastic tape.
I wonder whether it’s been repaired.
The humanitarian gate opens regularly; a long line isn’t allowed to form, unlike in the past. Documents are inspected quickly; we hope that continues, because among those going through are elderly persons walking with great difficulty. Why do they even have to pass through the checkpoint, much less on foot? Because, as opposed to what was said in the past, there’s no wheelchair around.
The Ecumenicals keep an accurate record; they report that the congestion began at 05:30. The man tells us about the Meitar checkpoint, where he’s usually stationed. The staff stops working every morning at 07:00 because of sanitation problems. Michal confirmed there’s an unbearable stench, so the workers engage in a slowdown.
Those arriving these mornings at the crossing include travelers and vacationers; they appear calm, energetic, the children wearing their best clothes. It’s clear they’re not accustomed to the welcome they get from Qalandiya.
A group of women on a tour is sent to wait on the benches. They’re told they may cross at 09:00. But they have an entry permit to Israel valid from 05:00 to 22:00, and can’t understand the reason for the delay.
Qalandiya treats travelers very strangely, in general. Maybe they upset the balance of a normal morning – Qalandiya is for laborers, the sick and students, not those on vacation.
The line disappeared only at 08:00. Two and a half hours of the checkpoint at its worst.