Qalandiya, Sun 20.11.11, Morning

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Place: 
Observers: 
Rivka P., Pnina H. (reporting)
Nov-20-2011
|
Morning

Translator:  Charles K.

5:30  We arrived at the checkpoint.  Three fenced corridors were open, but even at this hour a long line stretched from the compound to the road, and it didn’t look like it was moving at all.
5:45  People on line began to shove for no apparent reason, to shout and begin climbing the fences

קרוסלות עמוסות לעיפה

.
6:00  Many people began gathering at the humanitarian gate.
6:30  An officer and a person from the security company arrive; they weren’t in any hurry to open the humanitarian gate, which was overflowing with people.  Two more fenced corridors open, but the line still moved very slowly.  The humanitarian gate also opened.
The soldier at the humanitarian gate who checked the crossing permits discovered some people lacking the special permit required, and temporarily confiscated their crossing permits as punishment (to “teach them a lesson,” he said.  After what seemed to them an eternity, he

returned their permits).  One of the “victims” had undergone a stomach operation; the incisions had not yet healed completely and he was afraid to stand in the regular line because the stitches might open.  When we asked the officer to allow him through the humanitarian line nevertheless, so he wouldn’t be jammed into the packed revolving gatesinfo-icon, he pretended not to hear us.  How frustrating!!!

During the past two weeks, conditions at the crossing have deteriorated so badly that they’re now inhuman.  It’s pointless only to come and report.  We have to think of additional ways to relieve the situation we’ve created that humiliates poor, hard-working people.