Qalandiya: Children ask for a few shekels and Women begging – West Bank Distress
After I received yells, curses and blocking by a policeman named Nissan because I got close to an ambulance, and all my attempts to tell him that wherever there are civilians it is my right to be present as a civilian – all these attempts failed, and a soldier who claimed that I was trying to cross over to Area A and he has a regional commander’s order in his pocket that the place where I stand (near the ambulance) is a closed military zone, I answered that over there beyond the wall is Area B, not A, and that if he has a regional commander’s order in his pocket, he is obligated to show it to me.
As I thought, there was no order, and as I expected, I was pushed away by the policeman’s body. I escaped knowing that only because I was not a Palestinian, I was not shackled or shot.
On the other side of the Apartheid wall, I was greeted by a horse. I could not ignore the immortal phrase coined by Mahmood Darwish: “Why did you leave the horse alone?”
Acquaintances told me that the elections for the Palestinian Authority were supposed to take place this month, and were either postponed or cancelled by Abu Mazin, for the supposed popularity of Mohammad Dakhlan.
The increasing hardships of three years of closure, unemployment and hunger are obvious especially on the many children who – unlike their usual wont – asked not to be photographed but rather for few shekels. And the adults? My way was filled by women begging.
In a few words and much sadness acquaintances told me about their lack. For lack of choice, they depend on divine graces for no one else saves them.
On my way home a security guard stopped me, wanting to understand why I insist on Palestinians’ rights. I explained that it is my duty as a Jewish Israeli woman. He, thirsting for this talk, told me about his experiences in the war and focusing on the sight of the many dead who give him no rest…
After him, a Palestinian stopped me to express his gratitude for my being there and lit up the darkness all around somewhat.
Driving west, I wondered why the hell the sign “The Lion’s Roar” was still showing on Ofer walls among which so many Palestinians are caged, starved and tortured. I had no answer.
Location Description
Qalandiya Checkpoint / Atarot Pass (Jerusalem)
See all reports for this place-
Click here to watch a video from Qalandiya checkpoint up to mid 2019 Three kilometers south of Ramallah, in the heart of Palestinian population. Integrates into "Jerusalem Envelope" as part of Wall that separates between northern suburbs that were annexed to Jerusalem in 1967: Kafr Aqab, Semiramis and Qalandiya, and the villages of Ar-Ram and Bir Nabala, also north of Jerusalem, and the city itself. Some residents of Kafr Aqab, Semiramis and Qalandiya have Jerusalem ID cards. A terminal operated by Israel Police has functioned since early 2006. As of August 2006, northbound pedestrians are not checked. Southbound Palestinians must carry Jerusalem IDs; holders of Palestinian Authority IDs cannot pass without special permits. Vehicular traffic from Ramallah to other West Bank areas runs to the north of Qalandiya. In February 2019, the new facility of the checkpoint was inaugurated aiming to make it like a "border crossing". The bars and barbed wire fences were replaced with walls of perforated metal panels. The check is now performed at multiple stations for face recognition and the transfer of an e-card. The rate of passage has improved and its density has generally decreased, but lack of manpower and malfunctions cause periods of stress. The development and paving of the roads has not yet been completed, the traffic of cars and pedestrians is dangerous, and t the entire vicinity of the checkpoint is filthy. In 2020 a huge pedestrian bridge was built over the vehicle crossing with severe mobility restrictions (steep stairs, long and winding route). The pedestrian access from public transport to the checkpoint from the north (Ramallah direction) is unclear, and there have been cases of people, especially people with disabilities, who accidentally reached the vehicle crossing and were shot by the soldiers at the checkpoint. In the summer of 2021, work began on a new, sunken entrance road from Qalandiya that will lead directly to Road 443 towards Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. At the same time, the runways of the old Atarot airport were demolished and infrastructure was prepared for a large bus terminal. (updated October 2021)Tamar FleishmanOct-11-2026Qalandiya. Female Beggar
-
