Ar-Ram, Qalandiya 24.04.06 a.m.Observers: Shulamit N, Mor BI (reporting)7:10 Ar-Ram Closure. Only those people with medical permits are allowed to cross. There are changes in the traffic patterns. From both the western and the eastern sides of the fence it was possible to travel north and south so that the Ar-Ram residents who have blue i.d.’s do not have to cross over to the western side of the fence in order to reach Jerusalem.On both of the lanes in the direction to Jerusalem as well as on the lane heading north, there is almost no line of cars, perhaps because of the closure. Many pedestrians, mainly children on their way to school. A bottleneck developed, a long line because there was only one checker until the commander instructed to speed up the checks and opened another lane. The line freed up immediately.At the intersection after Ar-Ram:The passage for cars was completely closed and anyone wanting to go to the other side had to travel to Qalandiya. Pedestrians, mainly children, are allowed to cross. Here too a long line of children developed. Some of the children turned north after the inspection and then will have to undergo another inspection on their way back to the Ar-Ram checkpoint.7:50 Qalandiya:At the checkpoint, there were about 15 cars. Two lanes for inspection were open and passage was relatively quick. (They waited only a few minutes).At the pedestrian checkpoint, there were few people. Only one lane was open and almost no one passed. Occasionally, people were sent to a different lane, of course without any explanation. Also, the inspections intermittently stop without any explanation. One of those passing asked me to ask the soldiers why, but she was uncomfortable with the question and did not answer. After a minute, the inspections resumed. When women get into the line or old people, the soldier shows some kindness (via the loudspeaker) and tells the people to allow them to pass first. One of those crossing was sent back because of the closure. Another man was not allowed to cross and was directed to the DCL representative and after further inspection, he was allowed to cross.The hours when the DCL is open are not clear. There was no one in the 5th lane, the lane of the DCL, and no sign indicating when it is open. According to D from the DCL, it should be opened at 8:00 but they receive people only from 8:30. At 16:30 it is closed. Today, the people were allowed in at 8:25. We spoke with D about the need for a sign and he agreed with us and said that he would put one there.9:00 Ar-Ram:There were no lines, either of cars or of people. When we got to the checkpoint, one of the soldiers asked me “What are you doing here?” He could not fathom why a Jewish woman would come in that direction.