Qalandiya checkpoint: crossing obstacles on the way to the pedestrian bridge
“And ye shall proclaim liberty to all the land…” (Leviticus 25:10) is how the Old Testament says it, but the planners of Qalandiya Checkpoint never read Leviticus and do not comprehend the meaning of the word ‘liberty’.
Here is what “those in the know” wrote about the checkpoint: There is a public transport terminal in the checkpoint especially for Palestinians traveling to the Old City of Jerusalem. Eventually the compound will be upgraded with cafes and shops. The security authorities are all for it: “It is in our interest that they cross at the crossing and not through the seam line”. Public transportation lines have been added. The quais are new and shaded, public latrines were erected and waiting areas are ready for the travelers’ welfare. The terminal regulates the traffic in the area and makes Palestinians’ lives easier.
Now for some reality: fearing the horrible traffic jams, we parked ahead of the checkpoint and walked to it – four women past their prime… The entire area is “… An asphalt road, facing a wall, beggars in the corner, I yell throughout the town, let people just look at me, just at me…” (Meir Banai – popular Israeli singer). Facing us was the horror bridge – for pedestrians. Naively, we thought that where there is a pedestrian bridge, there would also be a way to access is. Indeed, there is but meant for sturdy hikers only. We look to our right and left in order to learn from the people who cross it daily. They climb the wall. Past our prime or not – we climbed. Reached the foot of the bridge. Now we must choose between numerous stairs or a long steep ramp! What do the elderly do? The ill? Mothers with baby prams? People in wheelchairs? The planners of this work of art must surely know. The latrines are spick and span. How? Simple – they are locked.
We crossed the first turnstile leading to a corridor that ends in another turnstile. Along the walls are devices that read the magnetic card and make sure that anyone crossing here also gets back. Most of these devices are vandalized.
We reached the entry lanes to the checkpoint itself. The left one was open and we stood in line. Suddenly it closed. Shouts began in the line, for the soldier to open it. The soldiers in their posts were not impressed. After several minutes of such a “concert” we were signaled to move to the other lane. We ran there with the entire crowd and by the time we got there the soldiers signaled us to return to the left lane. Musical chairs… The soldiers are preparing for the changing of the guard, a feat so much more important than the Palestinians whom they are supposed to serve and as Israel’s late Commander in Chief said so long ago, are nothing but ‘cockroaches’. A little harassment never hurt anyone…
Calling the war-room, we learned that the checkpoint is open 24/7 and everything functions normally. Normally must have many significances. When, finally, after 20-25 minutes we entered the hall we realized that only 6 of the 18 magnetic card posts were open, wile another two inspect IDs and diplomatic or other permits.
Two civilian security guards came running from the depths of the checkpoint toward a youngster in his early twenties and demanded to see his ID. The young man was brave enough to decline and determinedly let them know they have no authority to make such demands. “Summon the police and I will gladly show them my ID”. The guards insisted he get out of the line and come to them, and he remained firm. The young man won out – small graces.
The DCO waiting line – opening at 8:30 a.m. and issuing magnetic cards at 150 shekels each – was very crowded. Crossing and receiving the card are a three-hour ordeal. On “normal” days even longer – now things are ‘cool’ or so I was told. Because of closure.
Cool, right?
We crossed and got out separately. In order to meet our driver, we returned to the obstacle course, but here a nice surprise awaited us – an improvised ladder that makes the climb so much easier. With the help of some nice young fellows who also got across, we managed to return to the liberty of the happy occupiers…
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 FleishmanApr-16-2025Qalandiya: summer fruit
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