Qalandiya, Ar-Ram, Sunday pm, 8.1.2005Watchers: Natanya G., Phyllis W., Tamar F. (reporting)Ar-Ram No exceptional events either at 14:30 on our arrival or on our exit towards Jerusalem after 18:00. Qalandiya checkpointThe return visit to the terminal at Qalandiya appears to reinforce the idea, or what appears to the eye, as an improvement and an easing of the conditions for the Palestinians. A spacious hall welcomes them, rows of comfortable chairs with the emblem of Jerusalem on them to sit on and wait, here they can rest and gather new strength for the journey to come, only the best of good wishes, a few examples: “The hope is for all.” At the crossing north to south the sign as translated into Hebrew: “The best for all” and “Welcome to the Atarot crossing” (no longer Qalandiya), and towards the exit: “Exit to the parking lot, a pleasant and secure stay”. But the attitude and speech of the soldiers is vulgar and humiliating. Even before entering the checkpoint we heard a girl soldier roaring on the loudspeaker: “Girls, not from there, come back, idiots” and to call elderly women “girls” is very insulting.In spite of the inimical behaviour of the soldiers we managed to pass through the terminal.At 15.00 there were 100’s of people queuing. No one thought of using the chairs which were actually more of a hindrance during the long wait in the crowded lines. The toilets were locked and Ophir from the DCO, told us that the Palestinians had broken in and taken the toilets seats.People crossing, and well-trusted sources, told us that on Saturday afternoon the checkpoint had been closed for a number of hours which the soldiers deny. However, we trust our sources. When the rain stopped and darkness fell we went out into the area of the southern square. The vender of corn stopped us and asked us to help him: When the rain was at its heaviest an army jeep had come and confiscated his ID under the pretext that he was not allowed to have his stand at that point.We approached Ophir but he said that if there had indeed been such an occurrence no one knew anything about it. He tried everyone he could think of but with no results. Later we were informed that the man had gone back time and again to those at the gates through which the jeep had gone, that is, into the enclosure of the terminal, and each time he was told to come back later. Again and again. In spite of the rain and the cold he kept doing so and only at midnight was the ID miraculously returned to him without anyone knowing where it had come from. Natanya translating.