Since 2001 we have observed dozens of army checkpoints on paved and unpaved roads in the West Bank, the Jordan Valley and along the Separation Fence; Civil Administration offices which grant permits to Palestinians; and military courts trying Palestinian prisoners. We stand at the checkpoints observing the behavior of soldiers and Palestinians without interfering, intervening only when soldiers behave offensively to Palestinians. Then we try to speak to the soldiers themselves or telephone...
'Atarot, Hizma, Jaba (Lil), Qalandiya, Mon 15.3.10, Afternoon
15/03/2010 ,Afternoon
Natanya G. and Phyllis W. (reporting)
15:20: Atarot: There was a line of about 20 cars at Atarot. We didn't stop.
15:30: Qalandiya: Three passageways were operating (No.2,3,and 4 which was only for men). There were no particular problems at the CP during our shift. At 4:10 Passageway No 4 was closed and the soldiers apparently took a break. The Passageway reopened at 4:30 but then Passageway No 3 shut down, just in time for the end of the working day in Ramallah. The men didn't have a problem as Passageway Four was working efficiently (only for men); but progress in the "women's" line, No. 2, was very slow and the line grew longer and longer.
Meanwhile, we met with a Palestinian man who was filing a claim with the Supreme Court of Israel. He signed the papers we had brought and gave us money to pay the court fees. It was a bit uncomfortable to be walking around with so much money in the bag, so we decided to leave early.
When we left Qalandiya at 4:40 we saw a military vehicle in the civilian parking lot. There were lots of little stones lying on the roadway and people told us that the children were throwing rocks. Afterwards, we heard on the radio that the stone-throwing had continued and the CP had been closed.
16:45: We passed Lil/Jabba and Hizmeh CPs on the way to Jerusalem. Traffic was flowing at both CPs.