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‘Atara, Qalandiya, Mon 27.4.09, Afternoon
Observers: Roni H., Ruth F., Tamar F. (reporting and taking pictures)
" Kol Ha'aretz Deglim Degalim" (the whole country is filled with flags)
Qalandiya Checkpoint:
16:00- Two inspection posts were active, and soon enough another one had been opened.
-Already used to the Jewish holiday's regulations, those who aren't permitted to pass didn't bother to arrive, and there were no special incidents, until we arrived:
– I took a photo of one of the Big Brother's revolving cameras, and as George Orwall had predicted, it really does see all and documents everything. The turnstiles behind and in front of me were immediately locked, in order that I don't get away with the "classified information".
Since the main reason we go to the checkpoints is to document the Palestinians' experience at the checkpoints, and not our own experience, I'll spear you the details, and just report that after 25 tiresome minutes during which I was caged between the two turnstiles and was threatened, a police force arrived. I was taken into the inner room with a police officer called Shaul, and at the end of all that, and some more events- I was let go.
The Palestinians seemed to enjoy the whole situation in which the army was pestering a Jewish woman, even though during the whole time that lane was closed.
– The peddlers seem to be getting back to work on the north side of the checkpoint.
Ibrahim sells corn, and he had placed his cart at the entrance to the checkpoint, by the soldiers post, he doesn't fear them.
Ibrahim, who live in Bita (by Hebron), tries to make a living where customers are to be found, that is, by Qalandia checkpoint. He rents and apartment at Ar-Ram. During the whole week he stands there trying to convince those standing in the traffic jam to buy his corn. Once in every two weeks he visits his family. He has a large family to provide for: two wives, "two children and four daughters" (as he puts it), and he now had another child on the way.
-A resident from east Jerusalem asked us whether during those long years we had been coming to the checkpoint, our activity had managed to make a change on the Israeli society, and added: "You're not part of the natural view around here, but the important thing is that you come, it's good that people have a chance to see that there is also another kind of Israelis".
17:45- Atara/ Bir Zit checkpoint:
Soldiers from the reserves were manning the checkpoint.
There weren't any long lines. The soldiers didn't pester the drivers, and only asked us that: "If something happens, tack cover behind the cement bricks".
Qalandiya Checkpoint:
16:00- Two inspection posts were active, and soon enough another one had been opened.
-Already used to the Jewish holiday's regulations, those who aren't permitted to pass didn't bother to arrive, and there were no special incidents, until we arrived:
– I took a photo of one of the Big Brother's revolving cameras, and as George Orwall had predicted, it really does see all and documents everything. The turnstiles behind and in front of me were immediately locked, in order that I don't get away with the "classified information".
Since the main reason we go to the checkpoints is to document the Palestinians' experience at the checkpoints, and not our own experience, I'll spear you the details, and just report that after 25 tiresome minutes during which I was caged between the two turnstiles and was threatened, a police force arrived. I was taken into the inner room with a police officer called Shaul, and at the end of all that, and some more events- I was let go.
The Palestinians seemed to enjoy the whole situation in which the army was pestering a Jewish woman, even though during the whole time that lane was closed.
– The peddlers seem to be getting back to work on the north side of the checkpoint.
Ibrahim sells corn, and he had placed his cart at the entrance to the checkpoint, by the soldiers post, he doesn't fear them.
Ibrahim, who live in Bita (by Hebron), tries to make a living where customers are to be found, that is, by Qalandia checkpoint. He rents and apartment at Ar-Ram. During the whole week he stands there trying to convince those standing in the traffic jam to buy his corn. Once in every two weeks he visits his family. He has a large family to provide for: two wives, "two children and four daughters" (as he puts it), and he now had another child on the way.
-A resident from east Jerusalem asked us whether during those long years we had been coming to the checkpoint, our activity had managed to make a change on the Israeli society, and added: "You're not part of the natural view around here, but the important thing is that you come, it's good that people have a chance to see that there is also another kind of Israelis".
17:45- Atara/ Bir Zit checkpoint:
Soldiers from the reserves were manning the checkpoint.
There weren't any long lines. The soldiers didn't pester the drivers, and only asked us that: "If something happens, tack cover behind the cement bricks".
'Atara
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'Atara Checkpoint
Situated at the northern entrance to Ramallah from Route 465, called also Bir Zeit Checkpoint. Nowadays only remains of what used to be a busy checkpoint remain, a pillbox and concrete blocks.
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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 FleishmanApr-26-2026Qalandiya. Things you see on the way
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