Qalandiya

A short, uneventful watch.

06.15. A steady stream of people entered. Passage was quick.

At the entrance were posters with Ramadan greetings, and festive lights, apparently for the evenings.

In preparation for Friday crowds, in the new building were notices marking entrances for men. Looking for the women’s entrance, we finally found beyond the old building and next to the parking lot of the regular buses going towards Damasacus Gate, the women’s (tarpaulin-shaded) waiting area.  This seems quite an extra bit of walking.  We hope our Watchers on Friday can give a more accurate report.

We met two women who had come early from the north and were waiting to be allowed in at 8 o’clock. They themselves seemed to be in good humour. But surely, now that there is so little pressure at this checkpoint, the “8 o’clock rule” can be relaxed?

Some good news:  There are now washbasins and taps with running water in the (at least women’s) toilets!

07.15. We left, in a bus taking many schoolchildren to school in East Jerusalem.