Ar-Ram, Qalandiya, Anata Mon. 29.08.05 a.m.Observers: Edna P, Anat T (reporting)Qalandiya7:00 , The wall grows and closes off the intersection. There were relatively few peddlers. It is more clear than ever that the new terminal divides Qalandiya and Ar Ram in the area that was supposed to provide free access and open passage in the area of the Palestinian Authority. Why was it not built on the side that was supposed to be the border between Israel and Palestine? At the moment, there is a strange fence that is like cow fencing, that directs it into a pen. Perhaps this seems like an exageration, but in the eyes of the Palestinians, this is the way they see it and they are insulted by it. Aside from that, all was okay. Almost all those passing are men and the line of vehicles is not very long. It will be interesting to see what it is like at the start of school. Regarding the issue of cleanliness, after the intervention of Maya Bayli from the municipality, they’ve started to clean the access areas to the checkpoint twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays, but emptying out the garbage receptacles is done only on Tuesdays so that much of the garbage finds its way back to the entrance to the checkpoint. Aside from that, the barbed wire that is placed in part of the approach area continues to present a danger and makes it difficult for those who are cleaning. Ar-Ram7:45, There is a short line of cars. There are more women soldiers than men soldiers at the checkpoint plus a dog handler and a dog. There were no detainees or special incidents. Anata8:15, Again, a surprise was awaiting us. About 5 men and a boy were detained. The commander of the checkpoint called to us as we arrived saying ‘I waited for you all week. I missed you. You are righteous women”. (See the report about the detaining of Anat at this checkpoint last week). A border policewoman who was sitting with him in the hut griped about why we worry only about the Palestinians and not about her. She earns only 700 shekels a month and works all day in the heat of the checkpoint. Our explanation that we have nothing against her did not convince her. When we asked about how long the detainees were waiting Golan C, the commander answered, “They are here for a half hour and everyone is being dealt with and they will be freed quickly. Sounds good. The detainees were indeed freed one by one. One man and the boy who was with him remained. “They will be here for another hour”.Then, an ambulance arrived, was inspected and detained. We asked what was happening and got no answer. 20 minutes passed. Suddenly, a Palesitnian man arrived from the Israeli side to the commander’s hut and within minutes there were shouts, Golan was pushing, the Palestinian pushed back and Commander Golan started to hit him while pushing him back into the hut. Anat approached the hut and other people tried to separate Golan and the Palestinian. In a moment, the matter calmed down and Golan dashed by the place where we were standing and screamed at us “You have some chutzpah. Either you are here or I am. If you get near to the checkpoint, I will arrest you.” Total hysteria. A Palestinian onlooker told us that the ambulance did not have a permit to pass, but the sick person within it did and the Palestinian that approached offered to drive the sick person in place of the ambulance, but the commander didn’t understand, thought it was about something else, and immediately fell upon him.In our opinion, it is impossible to go on this way at the Anata checkpoint, but our complaints and requests from the Jerusalem envelope authority to look into the matter and to improve relations by responding to questions was not answered. We spelled out what is happening in our complaints that Chana B promised to register against commander GC as a result of several confrontations and detentions of machsomwatch women, and complaints of Palestinians about his behavior. (There was an article about him in Kol Hair a month ago). It turns out that Chana is abroad and will return in two weeks. Sylvia requests that we write a detailed report. Of course, the complaint must be all encompassing and from Machsomwatch. We will wait for Chana. One day of the following week , Anat succeeded in finally reaching the officer Shlomo H. Shlomo was on holiday. In the short conversation, Anat related her concerns about the functioning of the commander of the checkpoint and asked that he answer simple, questions requesting information regarding the length of time of detentions, the reason for holding up an ambulance and so forth as is customary at other checkpoints. He explained that there is no intention of interfering with the work of the border police. Nothing was finalized. The officer promised to transmit these suggestions but said that there are instructions from the Jerusalem envelope authority not to speak with individuals outside the system, even with those who are in charge of taxes who come to do their work at the checkpoint. Therefore, any conversations with those who man the checkpoints is not in order.