'Anata, Qalandiya, Thu 22.7.10, Morning
Qalandiya - 6:40 The vehicle checkpoint was crowded but moving. The pedestrian checkpoint had unusually long lines but moved very quickly, so quickly in fact that the Humanitarian Gate was not > open. However when we requested it be opened for a very sick child, it was. The soldiers were polite and spoke to the Palestinians in Arabic- we recognize the significance of this.
Anata - 7:30 Cars and pedestrians moved freely. The road has been paved and it looks as though the new checkpoint will be opened soon. We had a sense that the soldiers were nervous about something. There was a police car there (which is unusual). We saw a car pulled over to the side being inspected very thoroughly. We were surprized at the reaction of two of the soldiers to us. They explained it has been their experience that most of the Machsom Watchers come just to criticize the soldiers and yell at them.