Qalandiya

A short watch, on Eid al-Adha eve

05.15  When we arrived on the Israeli side, it was still dark.  But there were already a number of men trying to catch a bit of sleep before travelling to work.

Today is the eve of Eid al-Adha, which for many is a fast day. Thus the beigel seller was absent and the kiosk closed. The cake stall was open, but with few customers. Very few people were arriving and they could pass quickly through the open turnstiles and through the checking stations.

We met two Ecumenical observers – two mature German men. They are living in East Jerusalem and visit also Bethlehem checkpoint.  They came here today because they were expecting a group of Norwegians  (to photograph) whom they would guide. They showed us a page they use to question people who are not allowed to cross the checkpoint.  Written in Arabic is the question “Why did they send you back?”, with a set of alternative answers. In parallel they have page with the English translations of each of the answers. We gave them some of the slips with Sylvia’s details to use for people who are refused permits.

The volunteers told us that they had been invited for a Shabbat by a Conservative Rabbi. They accepted and enjoyed this very much. They told us that there were people in their group who could not understand why they did this – that it’s not part of their mandate to visit Israel. These two men thought that it was. In addition, as Germans, they felt a special debt to Jews.

At 6 o’clock there was no sign of a D.C.O. officer, or policeman or guard.  The humanitarian gate did not open, but indeed there was no need for it. At about 6.10 the soldier in the aquarium was relieved by a colleague.  As we saw that the day was so quiet, at 6.20 we entered a sleeve and were quickly out on the Israel side.