Anata, A-ram, Kalandia, 8.2.07, morningObservers: Mili M., Chana S. (reporting) 6.40 a.m. AnataBusy traffic, both of vehicles and pedestrians. Two traffic lanes were open and checking was routine.7.30 a.m. A-ramJust before reaching A-ram checkpoint there was a police checkpoint, causing a 10-minute delay. At the checkpoint itself we found an old man negotiating with the border police, half-smiling and half-angrily, trying to get through. For the next 35 minutes he would withdraw and then try again. Finally, he just walked through on the far side of the street, waved airily at the police who told him to return and went on his way!A few people who tried to go from the main road into the new gate (which was open all the time), were called back. Two adults (one with two little children) who came through the gate – with blue ID’s were not allowed through the checkpoint and were directed to Kalandia.8.15 a.m. KalandiaExtremely quiet. Just a few people at the 2 open entrances. No prisoners’ families in sight. A soldier in the outside cubicle said that half an hour earlier there had been a terrific crush but all the entrances were opened to cope. Presumably she was new at Kalandia as she did not know anything about prisoners’ families.Passing through the car checkpoint was very slow. Cars were first held at one post before being allowed to proceed one by one for checking. A taxi driver who had a sick passenger had to get out at this first post to show a doctor’s /hospital’s certificate.It took 15 minutes to get through.