Qalandiya

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Jul-12-2003
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Jaba’a: Two soldiers and a Jeep. All
cars checked, but traffic smooth and everyone let
through.

Qalandya, 08:30. The usual unpleasant encounter with N. We were
"expelled" from the immediate checkpoint, and forbidden
to talk to any of the soldiers. The queue was short, but anyone
without the right permit was turned back. There was no
consideration for any special cases whatsoever. One intervention
attempt ended with raised voices. We called the DCO, and meanwhile
there were some urgent humanitarian cases (a young woman on her way
to give birth, a couple on their way to discharge their young child
from hospital, a couple back from a CT examination etc). While we
were waiting, we heard a heart breaking child's cry. Apparently the
child lost his mother and panicked. When we approached to calm the
child, a soldier screamed that we were "trespassing in the
checkpoint, and endangering the soldiers lives". Once E. from
the DCO, appeared everything changed dramatically. All the
humanitarian cases were solved, and Palestinian with special
requests had an address to turn to. We complained about N., and
were told that they are aware of the problem.