Qalandiya

There was already a line, though still short, when we arrived at 5 AM.  But the soldier in the aquarium let many people through each time he opened the revolving gate, trying to prevent long lines forming.

All five inspection booths were open even though the new signs (which Marsha mentioned in her report two days ago) showed only one (No. 1) was open and the others were closed.  An example of spending money on the most unnecessary thing at this checkpoint, which doesn’t even operate the way it’s intended.

By 05:20 the lines were already fairly long (past the covered area), through three cages, and it remained that way until about 07:00.

The DCL soldier opened the humanitarian gate at 06:05, and again whenever a few people had gathered.

A man approached us and asked for Sylvia’s phone number – referring to her by name, which again demonstrates she’s the most famous Israeli woman in the territories – we gave him a card with all the information.  Maybe the page from which the cards are printed should be sent to the network again, because it’s a very convenient way to provide and receive the desired information.

During our shift one of the Machsom Watch tours for students in pre-military service preparatory programs arrived, led by Anat, Neta A. and Bassam (who accompanies our tours in the Jerusalem region).  The young people were able to speak with us, with Palestinians waiting on line, and with the soldier and policeman on duty.  I assume Anat will prepare a report on the visit.

We left at 07:15 when the three cages were already empty.