Qalandiya
05.15. Unusually, quite a few men were waiting outside on the Israeli side, presumably waiting for the bus. Perhaps this was because of the difference in clocks in the West Bank and in Israel?
Inside the shed there was quite a long line, although all 5 checking stations were open and there were few people waiting there. We noticed that the soldier operating the turnstiles was admitting only a few people at a time. Later, however, the situation improved (perhaps thanks to the replacement soldier) and then many entered each time – with the usual humiliating rush along the lanes, more nimble younger folk jumping over the barriers. Though workers kept coming, the lines remained more or less within the shed.
A guard arrived soon after 6 a.m. At that time a small group gathered at the humanitarian gate, including a young child. The guard, who obviously did not have a key, spoke to them. At 6.10 a D.C.O. officer arrived and opened the gate. Thereafter he opened the gate frequently until he left at 6.50. Fortunately, by that time the lines were quite short, so people arriving for the humanitarian gate did not have difficulty in joining them. As usual when conditions are quiet, women are politely allowed to fit into the entrance of the line nearest the soldier’s cubicle.
The tea kiosk has vanished from its site. According to the beigel seller, there are going to be some ‘repairs’ in its usual place and afterwards it will return.
We joined a line at 7.10 and were through within 15 minutes.
Qalandiya Checkpoint / Atarot Pass (Jerusalem)
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Click here to watch a video from Qalandiya checkpoint up to mid 2019 Three kilometers south of Ramallah, in the heart of Palestinian population. Integrates into "Jerusalem Envelope" as part of Wall that separates between northern suburbs that were annexed to Jerusalem in 1967: Kafr Aqab, Semiramis and Qalandiya, and the villages of Ar-Ram and Bir Nabala, also north of Jerusalem, and the city itself. Some residents of Kafr Aqab, Semiramis and Qalandiya have Jerusalem ID cards. A terminal operated by Israel Police has functioned since early 2006. As of August 2006, northbound pedestrians are not checked. Southbound Palestinians must carry Jerusalem IDs; holders of Palestinian Authority IDs cannot pass without special permits. Vehicular traffic from Ramallah to other West Bank areas runs to the north of Qalandiya. In February 2019, the new facility of the checkpoint was inaugurated aiming to make it like a "border crossing". The bars and barbed wire fences were replaced with walls of perforated metal panels. The check is now performed at multiple stations for face recognition and the transfer of an e-card. The rate of passage has improved and its density has generally decreased, but lack of manpower and malfunctions cause periods of stress. The development and paving of the roads has not yet been completed, the traffic of cars and pedestrians is dangerous, and t the entire vicinity of the checkpoint is filthy. In 2020 a huge pedestrian bridge was built over the vehicle crossing with severe mobility restrictions (steep stairs, long and winding route). The pedestrian access from public transport to the checkpoint from the north (Ramallah direction) is unclear, and there have been cases of people, especially people with disabilities, who accidentally reached the vehicle crossing and were shot by the soldiers at the checkpoint. In the summer of 2021, work began on a new, sunken entrance road from Qalandiya that will lead directly to Road 443 towards Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. At the same time, the runways of the old Atarot airport were demolished and infrastructure was prepared for a large bus terminal. (updated October 2021)
Tamar FleishmanJul-21-2026Qalandiya. Conversation in the shadow of the wall
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