Qalandiya, יום ד' 24.9.08, אחה"צ
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Observers:
Ruti, Hannah (reporting)
Sep-24-2008
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Afternoon
Ramadan
16:25 We parked south of the checkpoint.
16:30 Only one passageway from the enclosure is open. About 60 people are
standing within. Lanes 4 and 5 are open. Many people are standing within the
sleeves, moving from line to line. We called the humanitarian hotline twice so
that our complaint will be registered. A woman soldier on the loudspeaker:
"This is the last time about how you pass through the turnstiles.
standing within. Lanes 4 and 5 are open. Many people are standing within the
sleeves, moving from line to line. We called the humanitarian hotline twice so
that our complaint will be registered. A woman soldier on the loudspeaker:
"This is the last time about how you pass through the turnstiles.
16:40 The traffic circle. Traffic is moving from every possible direction
-- even above the circle on a diagonal, people, cars, special attitude to
foreigners and those with yellow license plates cut in to the line. Horns
blasting. Go, stop, go, stop. The line of cars is longer than usual in the
lane that leads from Jerusalem in a northernly direction. Two lanes are open in
the southern direction.
-- even above the circle on a diagonal, people, cars, special attitude to
foreigners and those with yellow license plates cut in to the line. Horns
blasting. Go, stop, go, stop. The line of cars is longer than usual in the
lane that leads from Jerusalem in a northernly direction. Two lanes are open in
the southern direction.
16:50 In the waiting area. About 50 people are in the only enclosed area
and in front of it. A woman with an infant in her arms, two young children and
sacks. She requested to pass through the humanitarian gate and was refused.
The woman was apparently fasting. We tried to contact Amir from the DCL. He
said that "it will pass more quickly". We tried the IDF spokesperson and were
directed to the spokesperson for public affairs. We brought them up to date.
The checkpoint was under the command of the border police. The spokesperson
said that the IDF is not responsible.
and in front of it. A woman with an infant in her arms, two young children and
sacks. She requested to pass through the humanitarian gate and was refused.
The woman was apparently fasting. We tried to contact Amir from the DCL. He
said that "it will pass more quickly". We tried the IDF spokesperson and were
directed to the spokesperson for public affairs. We brought them up to date.
The checkpoint was under the command of the border police. The spokesperson
said that the IDF is not responsible.
17:30 Two passages from the enclosure are open. 17:45 Three sleeves are
open, the line is getting shorter.
open, the line is getting shorter.
From 16:30 until 17:15, it took people about an hour to cross the Qalandiya
checkpoint. If someone from any section was responsible for this checkpoint
(blue police, border police, IDF and all those in between) had been interested
to make things easier, they would have opened another sleeve
, and placed one or
two soldiers there. We are talking about minimal personnel.
checkpoint. If someone from any section was responsible for this checkpoint
(blue police, border police, IDF and all those in between) had been interested
to make things easier, they would have opened another sleeve
, and placed one ortwo soldiers there. We are talking about minimal personnel.
There was a lot of traffice of people with bags and suitcases, perhaps
because of the end of Ramadan and the beginning of the feat. We left with a
very bad feeling of impotence. There was no one with whom to speak. There is
definitely a conscious decision to collectively punish people and to behave
harshly with this population. Is there anyone among those responsible who still
remembers a value like compassion? like humanity?
because of the end of Ramadan and the beginning of the feat. We left with a
very bad feeling of impotence. There was no one with whom to speak. There is
definitely a conscious decision to collectively punish people and to behave
harshly with this population. Is there anyone among those responsible who still
remembers a value like compassion? like humanity?