Qalandiya

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Place: 
Observers: 
van Hezvik (visiting student from abroad), Ronit Dahan-Ramati (reporting), Chana Stein (translating)
Apr-11-2018
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Morning

A busy but calm morning at Qalandiya

05.15.  Inside the checkpoint the lines were not short, but proceeded at a reasonable pace. 5 checking stations were open. The beigel and cigarette sellers were both present, but not the cake seller. The tea kiosk has returned inside the shed.

We met our friend H. who works in a bakery in Mahane Yehuda. I translate his excellent Hebrew  for Emma (He speaks some English, too). Because of Pesach he had a week’s holiday. At the end of Shabbat (and Pesach) he wanted to reach his work, because of course they would have to open … He reached Qalandiya but was not allowed to pass because this was after the hours of his permit. His attempts to explain that, as an exception, he had to work  in the evening and, just as he was not dangerous working daytime he would not be dangerous working at night, were of no avail. Somehow in the end he worked all night and all the next day to satisfy the Jews’ longing for hametz.

Towards 6 o’clock there were already many waiting for the humanitarian gate to open. Some people despaired and went to fit into the regular lines.  After 6.20 we were asked to phone to find out what was happening. We phoned and were told that ‘they are coming.’ And, indeed, while we were still talking we saw a D.C.O. soldier and guard arriving, and the gate opened at 6.25. The D.C.O. soldier was promoted. The rank is shown on his shoulder now, not on his arm. He said that he has signed on for another year.

After the gate was opened, we went to drink tea and see what was happening outside. We saw the beginning of work in the former parking-lot. There is now no asphalt but earth, and it seems that building will begin soon. At about 7.30 we joined one of the queues which by now were very short. After we passed there was practically no line beyond the cages. The next time the turnstiles opened, by which time we were in front of the checking stations, we saw that the cages were completely empty.  Of course right away more people arrived.  It took us less than 30 minutes to pass.