Qalandiya - First morning shift since the Coronavirus pandemic began

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Place: 
Observers: 
Chana Stein (translating), Ronit Dahan-Ramati (reporting and pictures)
Jun-1-2020
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Morning
מסלולי הגישה החדשים במבט מכיוון המחסום
אזור חניית האוטובוסים והמיניבוסים
מבט מהגשר לכיוון קלנדיה
מוניות בירידה מגשר הולכי הרגל
מבט מהגשר לכיוון ירושלים
מבט מהגשר למשאיות הנוסעות מירושלים לקלנדיה
אוטובוס וכלי רכב עוברים מקלנדיה לירושלים
מבט מהגשר אל מחסום כלי הרכב
תריסים הסוגרים את היציאה מהמחסום הישן
שלט המזהיר מהקורונה בכניה למחסום
מגרש החניה הישן נסלל כולו
מסלולי גישה אל המחסום באזור שמאחורי הקיוסק
הקיוסק חזר למקומו הקודם
חנה ואבו רמזי ליד הכניסה למחסום
מבט מהגשר אל מחסום הולכי הרגל

Our first visit to Qalandiya since February, due to the Corona pandemic. Then much building was in progress - the pedestrian bridge leading to the public transport area from the pedestrian checkpoint itself; and on the Palestinian side there had been building of sidewalks at the old parking lot and preparations for entrance to the checkpoint from the east for Ramadan. Also, the old checkpoint was undergoing changes, hidden behind metal boarding, apparently also in readiness for Ramadan.

In the past, we saw fences being erected around the checkpoint for pedestrians, intended to guide people exiting in the direction of Jerusalem, towards the bridge, and not the road. When we arrived we saw that there is now no turnstile allowing access (only gatesinfo-icon that the military can open by means of a card). As we approached,  a checkpoint security guard called to us to go to the other side of the road as the approach from Jerusalem is also via the bridge. This caused some delay and we reached the Palestinian side only at 6.25. The intention is good, to make crossing the road safely, but really helps only those aiming for public transport.

On the Palestinian side, we were happy to meet Abu Ramzi with his cart of beigels. He has had a hard few months without income or old age pension, yet having to support a large family.  He was grateful for the Ramadan gift a group of us were able to get to him despite the closureinfo-icon (it was possible to reach Qalandiya) and sends thanks and warm greetings to our colleagues.

The tea kiosk on the Palestinian side has moved back to its old spot after completion of paving,  and the preparation of a pedestrian path behind it, in readiness for Ramadan Fridays – which in the end were not used. In the kiosk was Muhammad who prepared us tasty tea. A second young man was busy cleaning and disinfecting the surrounding area before setting out his wares. From the direction of the parking lot called out in greeting  Iman, Muhammad’s brother, who manages the nearby parking lot. They, too, have suffered financially. We found a shady spot where we could remove masks so as to drink our tea.

The area which till 2 and-a-half years ago was a large parking lot has been paved, with sidewalks and some sandy patches – which may be landscaped in the future? There are no longer the piles of building rubble of three months ago. It is unclear to us what the purpose of this area is – only public transport (a couple of buses/taxis) can enter via a yellow gate – or why parking is not allowed.

Next to the kiosk and also next to Abu Ramzi young fellows are selling masks. They sell black cloth masks with various brand marks printed on them. They obviously aren’t original products of these brands… but one must find a source of income ... Most people have masks but, like us, most do not wear them as required or at all. Only when entering the checkpoint does everyone cover both nose and mouth with a mask.

The old checkpoint is closed by a metal fence so we could not see what was happening there. The toilets themselves are closed. Presumably, the water supply has been shut there as there is no longer a leak from the pipe outside …

There is no pressure of pedestrians at the checkpoint. Some people wait outside, apparently waiting for the D.C.O. or some other office to open later. According to reports, on 31.5.20 D.C.O  offices were opened for full service, in spite of the break between Israel and the Palestine Authority. At Qalandiya they had started even earlier to issues magnetic cards and give other services.

There is a big notice outside warning of Corona and telling people to keep 2 m. distance, and showing how to use a mask. It is unclear under whose auspices this poster is issued. It is headed ‘Jerusalem surrounding’ [“Otef Yerushalayim”], in Hebrew, English, and Arabic. In addition, in English only, it is “community center.”

Soon after 7 o’clock, we entered the checkpoint. On one side we saw people waiting for the D.C.O. which was to open an hour later – crowded in a small room where they certainly could not have 2m between them. They of course are separated from people exiting towards Jerusalem, via turnstiles.

 We passed through quickly with minimal checking. A soldier stood without a mask. He said he did not have one but that they would bring him one right away – so we gave him one, asking him to use it.  Just then an officer arrived – but did not bring a mask for the soldier. We just hope that he used the one we gave him.

After exiting, as we mentioned before, there is no approach to the road other than via the pedestrian bridge, which one reaches either by stairs or by a ramp intended for wheelchairs or carts[?] The bridge has a roof but is open at the sides, so using it would be rather unpleasant in wind or rain. Perhaps by the winter, some protective siding will be provided?

When we got off the bridge on the other side we met a D.C.O. officer familiar from the old checkpoint times. He would open the ‘humanitarian gate’ in those days. We greeted him, surprised to find him still in the army. He had just that moment been interviewed for some media. With him were a reporter and photographer, and another soldier (perhaps an I.D.F. spokesperson?) We commented that they had prepared for Ramadan in vain, and he replied “yes, instead of Ramadan we got Corona.”

At the foot of the bridge stood taxis on ground that had been smoothed but not paved.  Presumably this will be done, otherwise it will turn to mud – where people have to walk to reach the buses. One cannot go back on foot towards the vehicle checkpoint and the road, as there are fences preventing this. So we had to take a roundabout way to reach the square after the vehicle checkpoint, to cross the road westward to reach our car.