morning

Qalqiliya 12.13.2003 AMObservers: NS,HT,IR, plus guest At 7:30, the southern side of the checkpoint was almost empty. One taxi waited for passengers going out of Qalqiliya. The drive told us that because of the total closure because of an alert, no one was allowed to leave Kalkilya except for those with permits. At the checkpoint, there was a group of reserve soldiers who explained that because of the closure, passage was not allowed to anyone who wanted to leave the city. One of the reservists patiently explained that anyone who wished to go in (and he checked to be sure that his explanation was understood), was allowed to go in only if it was understood that they would not be allowed to leave unless they held the proper permit. A number of people preferred not to go in. Because of the situation, we were not allowed to go to the other side of the checkpoint where a large number of people, mainly students, were waiting. Whoever succeeded in passing told us that many of the students, primarily women, who had passes were allowed to leave without any problem. A number of ambulances were allowed to leave without hindrance. An ambulance carring medical workers from Qalqiliya to the surrounding area was not allowed to go in out of fear that it would not be allowed to leave in order to carry out its duties during the course of the day. In the entire area, there was increased military presence. On the way back, for over an hour, we were held up with other travellers at the entry to Kfar Saba because of the alert.