Qalandiya

How difficult it is to look at the empty (and filthy) checkpoint.

9:00: The CP was nearly deserted. Occasionally two or three persons crossed through the gate. We noticed a wheel-chaired man who told us he was waiting at the humanitarian gate for about half an hour. We phoned the Matak and in some 10 minutes a soldier arrived and opened the gate.

A man, speaking fluent Hebrew, told us that he and his wife were on their way to visit their daughter who lives in Jerusalem. He says that people are wary of passing through the CP, in fear of the "easy gun" policy. He's a Math teacher, a university graduate, now retired and owner of a taxi. Recently, while driving his taxi, he was detained by soldiers who checked his vehicle. He took this opportunity to inquire of the soldiers if they thought there would be peace someday. They were embarrassed but admitted that they doubted there would be peace. His wife wouldn't approach us as we were Jewish.

9:20: We noticed that three inner checkbooths were closed off. The tide grew a bit and a line began forming near the inner (January 2016) booths and at the entrance to the CP. We phoned the Matak again and were told that the situation would be checked. A security person who passed by remarked that the staff was off to eat etc. and "what do you expect? How should we treat them? People shouldn't expect too much. Only three days ago he had been shot at by the Palestinians."

At 9:32 Booth 5 opened up and then Booths 4 and 3 as well.