Qalandiya - a very calm day.

05.20. There was not the usual prayer group at the parking-lot – perhaps because we were slightly later than usual, or because of the rain that had fallen during the night. The big sign put up by the municipality telling the inhabitants “we are renewing for you” is still on its side, leaning on an electric pole.

Inside, we were pleased to see that there were no queues. The shed was fairly empty, with 5 checking stations open. We met two ecumenical church volunteers – an Irish young man and a Swiss young woman. Usually the volunteers do not come on Wednesdays, but apparently this time they came because they were expecting a delegation from the British Consulate.  They told us they were also expecting Ronny Perlman who was coming to meet them.  Indeed, shortly afterwards Ronny arrived with a visitor.

Outside there was a splendid sunrise – and no change in the building situation. Shortly before 6.15 a guard, a policeman and the D.C.O. officer arrived, and opened the humanitarian gate. They left soon after, as there was truly no need for them today. There were no lines, and the turnstiles remained open.

At 6.35 we decided there was no point in remaining. Within 5 minutes we were out – by far the quickest ever.

The previous day ,when I [Ronit} came with Liora to sign someone’s appeal,  it looked as if the reports the municipality had written against peddlers have indeed prevented them. Usually at this hour the area would be bustling with shopping counters.  Today it was totally empty. There were not many cars and so, unusually for us, we returned through the Qalandiya checkpoint (we generally use the Hizme route because of the heavy traffic at Qalandiya).  The soldiers checking our car were somewhat confused and did not understand what we were doing there, but after they studied our identity cards they let us continue.