Qalandiya, New Ar-Ram, July 25, 2007, PMObservers: Yvonne M., Ruthie B., Daniela Y. (reporting), Guests Lehi B. Ellie H.USING PALESTINIANS FOR TRAINING DOGS IN QALANDIYA On Sunday we received a call from a Palestinian (we have his name) who told us that he had been stopped at Qalandiya as he was on his way to Jerusalem. The man has a blue I.D. card (Israeli). He told us that he was asked to get out of his car, and then the police put a package inside his car and released a dog into the car. The object of the exercise was that the dog would recognize the smell of a Palestinian car which is different than a Jewish car. The man was angry and insulted and asked to speak to the commander of the check post. Despite his efforts he was unable to speak to the commander and called us. We came today to Qalandiya to find out who is in charge of the dogs. We saw a dog and a female trainer working for a civilian company called Modin Ezrachi. A soldier who spoke to us said that the BP also has dog trainers. Our request – we should collect evidence of training dogs on Palestinians and to submit a formal complaint. 1525: Machsom QalandiyaWe started to pass from north to south on the pedestrian crossing. We stood in sleeve #3, and after waiting a long time, the soldiers suddenly left their stations without saying anything. People who were close to the revolving gate, were the last in the new sleeve. 1650: Machsom New Ar-RamWe went to check this new checkpoint and found a line of 30 vehicles. Wherever we try to approach, we are kept away, and told “you are keeping us from working,” or “We are doing our work”. The buses that arrive at the new checkpoint have all gone through the checking at Qalandiya. In other words, the passengers have to get off the bus, go through the pedestrian crossing, and then get back on the bus. They are checked again. Why is there a need for a new checkpoint between Qalandiya and Ar-Ram? It’s true that not everyone is coming from Qalandiya, but till today there was no checkpoint. What happened?