Qalandiya checkpoint - the construction work are in progress, a lot of dust and noise
Coming reports will probably be marked by construction work in the area. Every time you arrive there is something new. This time it turns out that they closed the last section of the road that leads from 443 to the checkpoint. Recently we have been parking in the parking bay along this stretch of road. We almost always found parking there. Now you have no choice but to turn towards Atarot, make a detour and look for a place in the parking area. Luckily we were able to find a place on the side and did not have to enter the paid parking lot. Since we knew this in advance we left a little earlier than usual.
We have now seen that many shuttles come to pick up workers near the parking lot and there is a big mess there. Others pick up people near the bridge on a route that is actually designated for public transportation. Walk around the square before entering the public transport area and returning to the road. On the way to the bridge, we saw the cafe that is there and it is crowded at this time. and then the blocked area for passing cars, where a large drill was placed.
On our way to the checkpoint, we saw that relatively many people were jumping over the fence and saving themselves the long walk on the bridge. Apparently now, when they are going to wait in the parking lot and not in the square, it is more worthwhile. The square itself has become travel lane, We took pictures on the way back from the bridge.
We reached the Palestinian side of the checkpoint around 6:15 – 6:20 and walked to the east side to visit our friend Abu Ramzi, the pretzel seller. He was no longer there. He brings in fewer goods than before and when it’s all sold he leaves. The mask seller said we had just missed him. A moment ago he finished selling all the goods and left. In the meantime, we have seen that the food stand in the place is becoming more sophisticated. In addition to all the fries on the spot (falafel, chips, cauliflower) and various chickpeas and salads in boxes, there is a novelty – bags with vegetables. Each bag has cucumber, tomato, onion and hot pepper. People buy it + pita. We have seen that there is a great demand for this. Apparently, the era of healthy food has arrived. Better than fried food …
We saw that the new kiosk built in the square on the ruins of the vegetable and fruit stand is in place. And the old kiosk there, too, near the entrance to the checkpoint compound.
The checkpoint itself operated without delays. All the time people came and entered, there were no queues outside. Around 7 we also entered and passed in a few minutes with no delays. We also received a good morning greeting from the two security guards who stood after the checkpoints.
On the way back we photographed the huge drill in action near an area where the previous time there was still a road. We passed it on foot and shortened our way back to the car.
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 FleishmanJun-28-2026Qalandiya. The bridge leading from Jerusalem to the Qalandiya checkpoint
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