Qalandiya Mon. 15.11.10 p.m.Hava B., Noa e, Sara A (reporting)Ar-Ram Little traffic. Also when we returned.Qalandiya. As you will see, there are many signs that our reports are being read. A very pleasant surprise greeted us when we saw that the turnstiles had been removed. At last. Shadi was at the checkpoint and was happy to tell us that it was not a temporary move but will remain that way in the future. Also, two more lanes for pedestrians are being added. The embarrassing sites of the past weeks with throngs of people caught between the two suffocating cages gave way to shorter lines of people dressed in holiday garb. There were a lot of soldiers at the checkpoint, many more than usual. Shadi told us about an incident that happened around noon time. According to him, three buses loaded with people from Hebron arrived and wanted to go to the Mukata for a condolence call. They got off the buses, apparently for a check, and at one point and for unclear reasons, a terrible fight broke out between the people from Hebron and the people from Qalandiya. Stones were thrown and people fled toward the checkpoint to take cover from the stones. There was enormous turmoil and the soldiers were under pressure from the crowds of people that ran toward them. They fired in the air and shot off tear gass. Several people were injured by the rocks, among them, someone who was hit in the head and was taken to hospital. The rest of the injured were taken to the building near the checkpoint and got first aid. Shadi said that the soldiers separated the fighters and even called the Muchpaz (forgive the ignorance, but I have no idea what that is) of Qalandiya to arrange a sulha among the people. Throughout the entire watch, the soldiers had brooms and were cleaning the area of the checkpoint. They took turns with great relief from the tumultuous events that had lasted for two hours. Also, the turnstiles heading north were removed and there was a sign that read “You are entering the area under the control of the Palestinian Authority. Anyone going in is doing so at his own risk”. A couple with a baby asked to cross through the women’s lane. She was pregnant. The soldier allowed her to to pass with the baby, but even though the lane was empty, demanded that her husband go via the men’s lane and cross there. A couple from Bethlehem with a baby also asked to cross through the checkpoint. They were going to the home of the wife’s sister who lives in Ramallah. The woman was allowed to cross with the baby, but the man, who had no permit, was told to go back. All the vehicles, including buses, were made to go through a stringent check. A boy distributed fliers written in Arabic at the checkpoint (elegies for Arafat). When he saw the soldiers filming him, he ran away. They thought that he was passing out incendiary materials and ran after him. He disappeared into the camp area and they chased him, but returned to the checkpoint emptyhanded. The soldiers told us that the Women in Green had visited them. They said that they were very nice and brought them cakes and sweets. Because it is such good news, I am indulging in repeating myself. There are no turnstiles!