Qalandiya,last Friday of Ramadan, 20.10.06, AMObservers: Ivonne M., Ronit H., Roni H. (reporting)Arriving at 9:20 at the checkpoint we saw less buses and Taxis waiting for clients than last Friday. Drivers told us that many people have crossed the checkpoint in the night already or have stayed at the mosque since Wednesday night (Leil el Khader). We saw that the car crossing lane to Jerusalem was operated and that the wait was not too long. North of the checkpoint hundreds of people were waiting, but in contrast to last Friday, there was no shooting into the crowd. Palestinians aiming at Jerusalem had to go through four checking stations at Qalandiya alone: one at the far end of the parking lot, another one at the entry to the checkpoint, a third one at the turnstiles and a fourth one at the regular checking lanes. Those who came from Nablus told about 13 checkpoints on the way to Qalandiya! Quite a via dolorosa. The age of men for passing was restricted to 45+ and not one month less. Many foreign journalists interviewed the Palestinians. One of them came with a gas mask.Inside the checkpoint hundreds of people were crowding. It was extremely difficult to get to the turnstiles, where blue policemen waited on the other side to check each ID again, before letting one proceed to the final checks. Men thronged against the turnstiles and made it impossible for women to join them. At the loudspeakers women were ordered to the left side turnstiles which were specially opened for them. But in no time the men have occupied this lane as well and the women were reluctant to enter the turmoil also because they were afaid to fall with their babies. But they had no choice, if they wanted to get to the prayers. One woman with a Jerusalem ID turned to us and asked for help. She recently has had surgery and was afraid to be hurt in the pushing and shoving. We tried to pave her a way through the masses, but to no avail. She suggested to try to cross at the car lane. We came there but were stopped by policemen who forbid us to cross the car passage by foot. So we asked some drivers to give the woman a lift. Most where afraid, although she had Jerusalem ID, but in the end we found a willing one and the woman entered Jerusalem unhurt. At 10:00 o’clock eight border policemen stormed screaming into the waiting room of the checkpoint and brutally grabbed young man at the shirts and dragged them out. This assault took about 5 minutes and cleared the entrance area but left everybody in shock. At 11:00 the cordon at the entrance to the checkpoint was lifted and hundreds of young men streamed in, hoping to have a last chance. But the policemen locked the turnstiles and did not give any discount. At 11:40 we left quite frustrated.