Qalandiya CP: the humanitarian gate did not open this morning
NO HUMANITARIAN GATE!
05.30. Arriving a little late, we found the shed almost empty. There were also not many people at the windows inside.
Even the beigel-seller was absent. Individuals came in and happily ran through the cage closest to the cubicle where the soldier was sitting. Gradually the stream thickened until shortly after 6 it was necessary for the soldier to operate the turnstiles, now having to open all three. He did this conscientiously, although he was clearly waiting for his relief, which arrived only at 6.15.
At first, women who arrived would easily fit in at the entrance to the cages but as more arrived they had to join the regular lines. As there was no sign of the humanitarian gate’s being opened, we phoned at 6.30. The only result seemed to be that a soldier came to unlock the gate to the humanitarian ‘corral’, left it unlocked (but of course the turnstile inside was still closed), and departed.
Throughout our stay there was no sign of a guard or policeman.
Apart from all the women who had to pass through the cages, we saw also a man on a crutch, another (a schoolteacher) who was hobbling on his unlaced shoe because of a foot fracture, and a couple carrying their toddler.
We finally joined a line at 7.40. By the time we reached the checking station itself, there were many older people who were waiting for their 8 a.m. permit-free admission. The competition to get through the turnstile there was pretty tough! But we were through within 20 minutes.
During our shift we were approached by one man for help in cancelling his ‘refused’ status, and gave him Sylvia’s details.
We were happy when another man came up to thank Sylvia (whose proud representatives we are!) for successfully solving his case.
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 FleishmanJul-21-2026Qalandiya. Conversation in the shadow of the wall
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