Qalandiya

Watchers: V.S., N.L., M.
M.

Arrival: 08:00

E-Ram was fluid for both pedestrians and vehicles. Qalandiya south:
free movement with one soldier at the head of the line not stopping
anyone. The warning sign for crossing the checkpoint (in Arabic
warning that if the proper documents are not present then they
won't be able to cross back over) has moved a bit farther north.
Qalandiya north: long line due to morning rush hour but the line
was moving quickly. The addition of the separate corner for
checking bags seems to help move the process along
faster.

Post-holiday the entire area was lively and energetic. A huge
change from a month ago when the closure was in full
force.

No female soldier present at the checkpoint. The commander
indicated that the reason for not having a female soldier was that
they were understaffed. Overall, the presence of a calm and
flexible commander (Itamar) created a quiet atmosphere.
Additionally, the rules were slightly less restrictive. Students
with valid identification, teachers, children under age 16, and
people over the age of 50 were permitted passage without delay.
Permit problems occurred with people who had valid permits that had
been issued before 7/Oct/03 that have recently been collectively
invalidated in response to the attack at Maxim restaurant in Haifa.
Meaning, that they would have to go through the entire process of
obtaining new permits again for the same time period.

The commander (Itamar) used his judgment in allowing people to pass
that were denied by the other soldiers on almost every occasion.
There was one soldier (Shimon) who was disruptive and aggressive.
He seemed to take great pleasure in denying passage and being
hostile. Most of his decisions were overturned by higher ranking
soldiers but his influence was not unnoticed. Our shift decided
that I should try to distract him. I had a talk with him about his
behavior. He listened and hopefully will take my words to heart. He
told me that he has calmed down a lot since he was "talked
to" by the commanders about his aggression...

A family with two pregnant women, three little children, and a man
was denied passage because the women were Jordanian with no IDs at
all. We tried to help and so did the Moked, but there was little to
be done about it. Without any identification at all they weren't
going to be able to get through. It was a very frustrating
situation.

There was a problem with a group of youth - students. Their school
IDs were not accepted by the soldiers and they were not permitted
to pass. No matter what we did they were denied passage.

One woman had her ID taken to be checked when she was caught
attempting to cross in the field. The soldiers who took her ID lost
it and she patiently tried to get it back, but it was
gone.

Our taxi driver friend told us that their situation has improved.
They have managed to dissuade the youth from climbing the fence and
going onto the road to throw rocks. In return, the soldiers have
stopped harassing the taxi drivers. No more vehicle obstruction,
damage, or confiscation for now. At least this is good news. But
since when is "public order" the responsibility of taxi
drivers? Surreal.

IMPORTANT NOTE: When V.called Ronen Shwicky from MAGAD about the
students he was very hostile and abusive to her. He told her that
we are not supposed to call him and that he has already told the
women of Machsom Watch.

We finished at 11:00.