Qalandiya

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Place: 
Observers: 
Natanya G (reporting). Guests Ahuva Tamar Batz, Bruce Schaffer
Nov-23-2017
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Morning

We arrived at 5.15 to find to my surprise that the only lines were in the shed itself and moving at a decent pace. It was only about 6 pm that more men started to arrive. Someone explained that those who work in building would not come out on such a rainy day.

We went  outside as Bruce who is a photographer wanted to see Qalandiya itself. I pointed out to them the parking lot where nothing has been done for months and also the circle  which once used to be there and which is now a pile of rubble. The traffic was horrendous especially with the mud and water and the enormous trucks coming through and every now and again someone would try to direct the cars which were  causing the traffic jam. Bruce took many photos which I will send on when I receive  them.

When we walked back into the checkpoint at  about 6.15 there were suddenly many more men and the line reached out half way into what would have been the parking lot. But there were no problems and also by the time we got there the humanitarian gate was open. Ahuva got into a conversation with a soldier who showed discretion in allowing two people to take through an elderly lady who could hardly walk although it seemed to take a while for those accompanying her to convinced him to do so.

Another elderly couple with their daughter were told to wait until eight. The daughter had a permit but did not want to go through on her own. They were going to visit her husband in hospital and as by about 7.20 the line had slackened off the soldier told them to go  through.

It is good as we always say to see Qalandiya through the eyes of someone who has never been there. I said it was a good day, explaining that no day there is ever good but that this was a quiet day with people going through the lines peacefully. Ahuva said that she was horrified and that she was glad  that she was not seen incidents such as I had described to her which had happened on the bad days. She said it was enough of a shock. But that she would come back again and absorb it slowly.