Qalandiya

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Place: 
Observers: 
: Chana Stein (translating), Ronit Dahan-Ramati (reporting)
Aug-11-2016
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Morning

A calm morning in Qalandiya

O5.15 We parked in the parking—lot which was very full. Around the square there was a lot of activity, with long lines of traffic waiting to pass through the checkpoint. The kiosk was still closed, but the beigel seller was at his post.

All 5 checking stations were open and there was no queue.  The turnstile closest to the ‘aquarium’ (soldier’s cubicle) was open so anyone arriving passed through right away .Later, as a queue formed, the soldier would announce each time she was about to close the turnstile.  At first we did not understand what she was saying, but one of the men pointed out to us that she was being helpful, because if one is approaching the turnstile quickly and it suddenly closes, one can get hurt.

Towards 5.30 the familiar D.C.O. woman officer arrived. It was unclear why she came so unusually early, but anyway she left after a few minutes. Towards 6 o’clock there was a change of staff in the aquarium. The polite woman soldier was replaced by a soldier who seemed to be new and inexperienced.  By now 3 queues had formed.  The soldier would open only the nearest turnstile, and even that to allow only a few people through at a time. Of course people were resentful and began to shout, and the lines got much longer, almost to the end of the shed. It took a few minutes for a policeman to arrive, who opened all three turnstiles and let through all who were waiting. Now long lines formed at each of the checking stations, of course, but at least people felt that they were being noticed.

We visited the tea kiosk which had by now opened. When we returned the three turnstiles were again opened and everyone let through. Then an officer appeared, apparently in charge of the soldier in the aquarium. After exchanging a few words with the policeman, he entered the cubicle and seemed to explain to the soldier how to operate the turnstiles.  Soon afterwards a D.C.O. officer arrived, but remained unemployed.  There was no need to open the Humanitarian Gate as everyone entered the regular lines relatively easily. A policewoman arrived, as well as a security guard.

Everything proceeded calmly, without long lines.  We left at 6.25.

We returned via A-Ram.  The checkpoint there was not manned. We entered Jerusalem via Hizme, quickly thanks to the light traffic.