afternoon

QALQILIYA, MONDAY AFTERNOON, 29.12.2003Observers: Miri, Miki, Yarden All proved to be "normal" on our arrival: that is tosay that vehicular traffic moved through thecheckpoint from both ends and the rather sparse flowof Palestinian a pedestrians also went throughwithout any problems. The checkpoint is manned at themoment by group of regular conscripts. We met a young man of 18 who lives in Qalqiliya andhad come to the checkpoint in search of his ID cardwhich had been confiscated on 13 October when he wasdetained at the Ariel lock-up and then, two weekslater, transferred to the Tel Mond jail. The DCOcould not find the ID and we are now serving as thego-between linking the Ariel police and the young manin an attempt to locate the missing document. While we were at the checkpoint, a group of women froman international organization here to participate ina "peace walk" was visiting Qalqiliya, and as we wereabout to leave they came passed on their way to a buswaiting to take them to Tulkarm. They were delightedto meet us and we were able to talk to them for alittle while about our work and about the women inMachsomwatch. They asked to photograph us and afterabout 15 minutes went on their way, and we then leftthe checkpoint.