Qalandiya

Ar-ram, on the way north; there was no
line of pedestrians, no line of cars, id's were not even being
checked.

Qalandya north- soldier in charge by the name of Or-el, his deputy
Or, they ask us not to stand too close because we bother
them...

There is a closure, except for humanitarian cases. We notice that
all are allowed through, except for merchants or any body in that
line of work. Even a young woman that sells borekas in
Atarot.

at 07:00 we hear that the soldiers have a "manoeuvre".
The checkpoint is closed and they run out with their helmets and
rifles. The checkpoint stays closed for 7 minutes, then opens
again.

Teachers are not allowed through unless they have a permit, they
are sent to Beit El to get one, but in Beit El they are told there
is no chance of getting a permit, because of the closure...Two
teachers are sent back to Ramallah, but as the soldiers are busyt
with the " manoeuvre ", they walk undisturbed
southbound.

We try to understand the issue of merchants being denied and sent
back. Neta calls Shweiki, wakes him up, and is referred to the new
Matak commander Husam Kabalan. his answer is that there is a
closure and that merchants should be referred to Bitaniya, where
there is back to back passage.

Shadi, an officer in charge of the checkpoint, arrives and allows
teachers with out permit, but with documents proving they are
teachers to pass and a family on the way to the hospital, and
instructs soldiers to let teachers pass. When he leaves, the
soldiers again stop the teachers and then let them go, as if doing
a big favour.

On the way back, we find one detainee at Ar-ram. we ask the soldier
why. Itamar (the soldier) explains that because he has no permit
and tried to get through the checkpoint he will be held for 3
hours. He was released a bit after we left.