'Anata, Qalandiya, Mon 27.10.08, Morning

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Observers: 
Ronny P., Ruth R.
Oct-27-2008
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Morning

8:30 Anata - We decided to do our shift later in order to be at Qalandiya at the opening of the DCL .  At this hour, the roads of Anata are already quiet.  All the buses travelled to school, there were few people crossing at the checkpoints, and a group of boys who were in no hurry to get to school were sitting behind the checkpoint.  Not a long line of cars.


9:00  Qalandiya -  At the entrance to the waiting hall, we met two representatives of the Red Cross whom we knew from the area.  We asked them about visits of families of prisoners in Ofer and they said that there was an improvement in their conditions in that they no longer have to wait for a long time before they are checked as used to be the case in Qalandiya.  However, on the other hand, there is no place were they can meet and sit down.  Also, it often happens that someone from among the visitors did not get a permit to enter, even though everyone who arrives there has a permit from the DCL.  We were surprised that they immediately directed us to various organizations to see if we could ascertain the reasons for these denials of entry, as if this is our responsibility and not theirs first and foremost.  Also, their question as to why there are no toilets in Qalandiya was quite rude.


When we arrived, there was almost n line to get in, a situation which changed in minutes.  Even when there was a line in one lane that was open, it moved quite quickly.  I was told by "objective" sources (a worker at the grocery in the area who rosses there every day for years) that of late, the line in the morning progresses quite well and also early in the morning when there are a lot of people, they don't have to wait more than 15 minutes.  The woman soldier behind the glass helped a woman with a child in a carriage to go through the appropriate gate.

 
In the line to the DCL, there were 12 men and one woman waiting.  3-4 youn men wanted to get magnetic cards.  Some of them were there for the first time and wanted to work in Israel.  Lieutenant A.A from the DCL went to the entry hall and tried to help from here.  A young man lost his Brazilian passport.  Yesterday, he got a permit to go to the Tel Aviv embassy and had to travel again today in order to get it.  He had no identifying papers.  A tried to help and finally, allowed him to go in order to get his passport.  The young men left smiling with their magnetic cards.  A man who had to get to a trial at the District Court in order to be released from a police restriction feared that he would no get a pass to cross because there was this restriction against him.  The matter was resolved and he hurried to get to the court.  


A man in the process of family reunification awaited permission to go in.  A woman, whose residence is in Jericho wanted to get a magnetic card.  She was not willing to listen to us when we told her that she will not be able to get the card in Qalandiya unless she changes her address.  She was only willing to listen when lieutenant AR told her.  A young man who was sent by his employers to get a work permit returned.  He was told that his employer must get the permit in Beit El.  He appeared confused.  He did not know if the employer would agree.  He took Roni's telephone number in the event that he would need more help.