Qalandiya, Ar-Ram, Shuafat, Wed 03.08.05 afternoon 15:15-19:45Observers: Tami B, Daniella Y, Ivonne M, Hana T, Eli LK (reporting) guest Ar-Ram15:15: Little pedestrian traffic. The assault on freedom of movement takes place long before the checkpoint according to the color of one’s i.d. A minibus of travellers toward Jerusalem was stopped and the i.d.’s checked. One of the passengers was taken off and sent back. Qalandiya16:00: In the area of the new checkpoint, and electrical post was put up and electrical lights were installed. One of the peddlers approached us and showed us the wounds near his elbow and the scratches on his face. He said that about 14:00, he was attacked by a soldier with the rank of lieutenant because he refused to vacate his stand. We are trying to figure out which soldier he was talking about. A worker for a private security firm in the area interfered in every conversation with the peddler. The security man said that he spoke with the soldier and arranged a “sulha” between him and the attacked peddler. We are not convinced that a sulha was the proper solution to the violence of the army but the peddler and his mother (who was present during the conversation) were afraid to get into more trouble and asked us to forget about the matter. One of the reservists at the checkpoint said that he heard about the attack and that the attacking officer was not currently in the checkpoint area because that was where his shift was. Another peddler said that a week ago, Wednesday, soldiers overturned his stand and confiscated his goods which cost him 1500 shekels in damages.17:00 A boy of about 15 wanted to cross through the checkpoint but he didn’t have an i.d. After waiting about a half hour, the commander of the checkpoint allowed him to pass. We met a young man with medical problems who requires the medical services of a specialist which are not available in the territories. The man already tried a number of times to get to a hospital in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem, but he was prevented from crossing. We gave him the telephone number of Physicians for Human Rights.17:30 The commander of the checkpoint, T, accompanied by two soldiers went out to clear away the peddlers from the path near the checkpoint. We asked why she was clearing them out and pointed out that there is no law which prevents their selling goods in that area. We were told that when there is an alert, the area must be free for troops to move in. Needless to say, there was no alert at the time and there was no need for troops to enter, except to clear out the peddlers. The commander expelled the peddlers to a line near the garbage bin. We spoke with the DCO (whose representative apathetically watched what was going on) and to the army spokesperson without success in revoking the expulsion decree, we will have to speak with the people who set up the garbage bin to move it closer to the checkpoint so that the peddlers will benefit from a few more meters. Shuafat 18:45 – 19:45 – We joined together with Mical B from Pisgat Zeev to visit Muhsin Natsheh and the residents of Shufat in their protest tent. There were white streamers symbolizing doves of peace. We wanted to join in his struggle. Under the tent, we saw a performance (which had simultaneous translation) which dealt with the life refugees who were carrying all their goods from their homes which had been conquered.While we were there, Aya called and told about a man who was beaten in Qalandiya and about shots in the air.