Qalandia, “Mirkam Heim”, Ar-Ram, Wednesday, 28.2.07, PMObservers: Hannah T., Daniella Y. and Ruti B. (reporting)15:55 – “Mirkam Heim” checkpoint and the entrance to Bir Naballah is its official name, according to the IDF (and it’s quite a shame that the Judges of the High Court never visited it physically). Aready on the way there, we saw construction work being executed on the West side of Atarot checkpoint on Road 443, from which we came down to the checkpoint. On the opposite hill, near the pillbox, a tractor is paving the path. The checkpoint itself accomodates two reserve soldiers and 12-15 vehicles. We are told that “The soldiers today are good”. A minibus lets off 2 small children and moves on to Bir Naballah, the little ones walk to Qalandyia Village.Only one soldier is standing, directing the traffic. His body language does not convey authority, his gun not pointed at the car. Random checks, “please”, “welcome” and on to the next car. He is the checkpoint commander and says that those are also the instructions he gave his subordinates. But they are only there until Friday. When we left, there was no queues (of cars). 16:30 – At the turn from Atarot towards Qalandyia the whole area on the left is being fenced, perhaps on account of the new neighborhood that is to be built there, so we have heard (an ultra orthodox neighbourhood, 11.000 apartments on the Atarot Airport territory, which will be connected by an tunnel to Kochav Yaacov, which is outside of the fence) 16:50 – Qalandyia The checkpoint is scrubbed and shining and although few people pass through, the Routine Break procedure is active and the passages are opened alternately in all the checkpoints, the lack of people passing is felt clearly. I cannot help but think of all the people who could once go through. 17:30 – Ar-RamHere, too the thin stream of people is very visible and felt. Before the checkpoint, heading North, there is a police checkpoint that stops almost every car. An Israeli Arab is fined for driving passengers with no legal papers and the young soldiers were never told what went on here before 1967, so why should they know .