Qalandiya, Friday, 7.4.06 AMObservers: Claire O., Tirtzah L. (reporting) 9:30 Anata checkpointWhen we reached the checkpoint, we saw 4 men detained. A soldier guarding them made them stand separately along the wall. Opposite us, near the small hut on the lane in the direction of Jerusalem, there were 4 women detained, standing together. We asked one of the men why he was there and he said that he had no permit. The soldier watching them ordered us harshly to get several meters away and we were not able to speak with the detainees. After 10 minutes, he called the women, one by one into the hut and returned their i.d.’s to them. Afterwards, he called one of the men.About 10 old women wanted to go to Jerusalem. They were in the lane other than that where the soldiers were inspecting. A soldier ordered them several meters back in the direction of Anata. Two went through where the soldiers were and no one checked them. Six of them simply went up on the hill that circumvents the checkpoint. In general, the traffic of those circumventing the checkpoint was heavy. Two of the last women simply waited a moment or two and then crossed where the soldiers were and they didn’t bother checking anything. After them, an additional large group of old men and women came – about 15 or 20 who wanted to go to Jerusalem. The soldiers sent them back a few meters and made them wait. The group broke apart and started going back. We asked the soldier what the criteria were today. He said there is a full closure even for those with permits. Only those with medical permits and who are in critical condition can cross. When the women cross two by two, he just looks the other way, but when there is a group of 500, he can’t let them through. Right! He would make a fool of himself. While he was telling us, the whole group of old men and women climbed up the hill and went around the checkpoint toward Jerusalem.The people who were detained (aside from the one who was released) were still there (after 20 minutes). A young man with a book in his hand went by way of the checkpoint and the soldiers ordered him into the small caravan near the checking area for people heading toward Jerusalem. A soldier sent in with him and a second soldier stood outside and closed the door from outside. Another soldier went into the caravan and a different soldier held the door shut from outside. After 5 minutes, they all came out. The boy was called to the hut opposite and waited. We asked one of the soldiers what was going on and he said that the young man had problems – he knows about them. What about the other detainees? It is already a half hour. Another soldier who heard us, said: So what. We can keep them for 24 hours. We asked when they would be released. A soldier said that the officer who found them (within Israel) is busy with another incident and when he finishes, he will interrogate them. We asked: When? The soldier said: He is on the way. And the young man? What about him? When will he be free. He will be questioned and released. And indeed, in two minutes, the i.d.’s were returned and he went toward Jerusalem.10:00Qalandiya checkpointStarting from Ar Ram, there is a metal fence and after several meters, the concrete wall. It is closed all the way except for two openings guarded over by soldiers. At Qalandiya itself, the wall is finished. An opening of two meters is closed by an iron gate and a chained lock. Two soldiers are guarding it. They opened it for us. The terminal for cars is functioning. Very few cars pass at any given moment. We crossed through the terminal via the pedestrian’s passageway which was totally quiet. No one crossed while we did. We went to the first crossing for vehicles that were heading toward Jerusalem. We asked the soldiers within the hut what were the criteria. This is the checkpoint where the soldiers sit within a hut and the driver must show his papers through a window. All the rent of the passengers (aside from a mother, wife or children) must get out. Only the driver is allowed to pass in the car. They must go through the passageway for pedestrians. The driver will then wait for them on the other side. The soldiers speak with them via a loudspeaker and don’t go out of the hut.However, the people in the car don’t know about all of this. Some of them get out of the cars to show their i.d.’s. For example, an old man got out of the car and the soldiers called to him via the loudspeaker: No, only the i.d., only the i.d. and he didn’t hear or did not know that they were speaking to him. We told the soldiers that a man whom we met a few minutes ago that the mother of a friend of his, a seventy year old woman had to wait an hour yesterday. Why? The soldiers said We are only two people, What do you expect of us? There were 3 or 4 cars at the first checkpoint. A truck arrived and the soldiers told him over the loudspeaker: Only to Betunia can you pass. The driver did not relent and went out of his car and approached the hut. The soldiers said: wait.. I want a permit.. Stand to the side.. You have no permit.. Only at night are you free to pass with a truck.. You can sleep here. . Good day. The driver left in anger.In the next car, there were 4 passengers. Over the loudspeaker, were heard the following instructions. All 3 passengers out. In the next car, there was a family from Kfar Akev (Jerusalem) traveling to Talpiot. They crossed through the checkpoint and traveled via Atarot. Yesterday, he traveled with a friend and the friend had to get out and walk through the checkpoint. Now we will see what happens, he said. The soldier on the loudspeaker asked: Is that your wife? Good. He opened the checkpoint and he passed. This is what is heard as the cars approach the hut: Is there someone in the back? Get out please.. Open up the door.. Good.. Are the children in the car yours? What do you have in the back? Who are those with you? I don’t hear.. Get out of the car.. Come here and speak to me.. Only you will pass.. They must go through the place for pedestrians and you will wait for them after the checkpoint. Do you have a blue i.d.? All right. Have them get out and wait for you. . Good morning.. Stop.. Stop.. Driver, driver, let me see your i.d. please. Show me, only show it to me (to the driver who was going to get out of his car). You may pass but your passenger must go through the checkpoint. We left the checkpoint for cars and went to the pedestrian checkpoint. The turnstile in the first lane for women was closed. Several women were waiting, calling on the intercom but there was no answer. We signaled to an officer in the hut. He came out and said: I am from the DCL and not the commander of the checkpoint. He was unaware that that line one was not functioning. Oh! It’s not working!!.There was a change of guard. What’s the problem? Let them go to lane 3, there is no pressure there. The meanwhile, line one opened up and we crossed. At lane 3 the soldier called out over the loudspeaker: no! No! No. Teach them how to wait in line. He instructed over the loudspeaker to stand in a straight line. Cross one by one. One of those crossing was a passenger in one of the vehicles that we had seen at the checkpoint and had to get out and wait for his driver at the end of the terminal. He met the driver 15 minutes after the driver had let him out at the checkpoint. 10:50 Ar Ram checkpoint. We returned via Ar Ram. There is still a checkpoint and they are still checking pedestrians and cars.