Qalandiya
We arrived shortly after 5am. At the CP we noticed the usual morning activity, without signs of the recent tense atmosphere. Only two checking-booths were open. At first, the lines were contained within the roofed area but before long they stretched out reaching the parking area. L., of the Eucumenical group, told me that earlier there were three booths operating but the passage was very slow. Indeed, within a few minutes the third booth was opened, but passage was still slow. The soldier operating the turnstiles allowed limited passage, which caused pressure at the booths.
We encountered a father holding a toddler, apparently on their way to medical treatment. He was holding the child with one hand and with the other held on to a car seat and an envelope with x-rays. The people on line allowed him to pass through into the enclosures. A few women were also allowed through without waiting on line.
We phoned the Matak. They complained that they hadn't sufficient operators for additional booths, but just then a policewoman arrived and Booths 4 and 5 were opened at 5:25. The soldier at the turnstile now enabled more people to pass through – but too late. The lines extended into the parking lot by then. The policewoman explained that the two additional booths were scheduled to open at 5-5:30. We explained how much better it would be to open those at 5 and prevent the over-crowding of the lines. Obviously, she was not in a position to improve the situation.
We met H. on line. He reported that the day before was difficult, with people pushing on line and climbing the fences. He and his colleagues told us that there was army presence in their area during the night, and they heard shooting. He thought the kidnapping was a plot by Abu Mazen and Netanyahu and that the kidnappers would be found out shortly – Hebronites would never do such a thing. All they want is a peaceful existence and the ability to reach work safely.
By 6:00 people were waiting at the Humanitarian gate. Another policewoman arrived. Shortly past 6:00 a Matak soldier arrived and let people through the gate intermittently. At 6:25 the security staff arrived. The lines were only within the shack. By 6:45 the lines disappeared. A few people were still waiting within the enclosures. We left.
The traffic was heavier than usual at the square, cars pushing their way through in every direction. Total chaos. Took time to reach the CP. Passage was smooth.
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 FleishmanFeb-27-2026Qalandiya: On the way to prayer
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