Qalandiya, Wednesday afternoon, 30.5.2007Observers: Ruthie B. Michal A. (reporting), Natanya translatingAr-Ram 16.30 – Little traffic and we went through. The iron gate in the wall was open for some reason and we went through it and with us two Palestinian cars. Qalandiya 16 45. – 40-50 people waiting at the one turnstile which was open. We asked the soldiers why this was so and they agreed to speak to us but only after we had insisted that they open the armoured window. We were told that “the soldiers had gone to the toilet.” After another few minutes another turnstile was opened. This of course helped to shorten the queue. At the car lane we saw cars going into Ramallah being checked and not only those going into Jerusalem.When we went back to the pedestrian turnstiles we saw once again only one open and again about 40 people in line. This time we were told that “the soldiers were eating.” We phoned the commander Haniv and got exactly the same evasive replies. This brings us to the conclusion that only one turnstile is open because that is the way it is and that no one cares if people wait in line.