Qalandiya: the stands are back
Slowly slowly, each in their own pace and economic ability, rise up from the rubble and rebuilds out of the destruction caused them by the armed invaders.
Abu Amir replaced the Kebab stand where his former one had stood. The new one is less fancy, but the person sitting under his ‘roof’ already smells the familiar scent from Amir’s work, the son who meets every client in his friendly, pleasant manner.
Abu Absa, too, (right side of the photo), the man whom when we last met I witnessed the destruction of his livelihood left by the armed men, has returned to the same place with the same smile, welcoming those crossing the checkpoint.
The survival of a man with a family to feed is stronger than armed threats.
Until next time.
**
In talks with acquaintances and friends about the situation, I heard that:
- “The war in Gaza is over and has now moved to Jenin refugee camp and Tulkarm refugee camp. Where will it go next?”
- “Perhaps it will get to Qalandiya refugee camp?”
- And Ahmad said: “Netanyahu has decided to destroy us and you, too”.
And I, who had met the child-vendors earlier and was sorry to see a brother and sister living in Qalqiliya forced to come all the way to Qalandiya to help the family’s finances in selling tissues, with their cousin from Tulkarm – I thought in hindsight that here, in Qalandiya, in spite of their sorry fate, at least they have a life. For the time being.
On my way back, when I showed my ID to the soldier behind the secured post, he took it and ordered me to wait. After quite a few minutes, when it was returned to me and my way was open again, I asked why I was detained.
I said: if there’s a regional commander’s order, you must show it to me and to my camera. That’s the law. Besides, you are lying. Simply a liar. That’s what I said to the amazed soldier, and left.
Location Description
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-6-2025Qalandiya: Abdallah sitting next to his father
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