Qalandiya - a woman was clenched within the turnstyle
09:00 – 11:00
This morning I met with a group of Peace Makers and 09:00 at Qalandiya. To my surprise, there was a long line up until the parking lot. There were only 3 windows in operatin and everything was happening very slowly. There was a high level of tension and some people approached me to complain. I tried to telephone -but that, as we know well, helped like oxygen for the dead.
Suddenly there were terrible cries. I ran to see what was happening and discovered a woman was clenched within the turnstyle. No one could go in and no one could go out. Finally, as usual after a dramatic episode, the turnstyle opened. The woman was as pale as a wall and could scarcely stand on her feet because of her terror. People from the line nearby the windows were helpful and gave up their place in line, approached the woman and helped her get up and pass through the obstacle course of the windows. The guests saw and heard – seeing is believing – I wanted to bury myself in the ground.
The lecture went well and they listened attentively and asked interesting questions. That is how it is when you are occupied by the most moral army in the world and by the most righteous government…
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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