Qalandiya, Thu 24.11.11, Morning
Translator: Charles K.
We arrived at 05:00. Buses came from all directions, their passengers leaping out, running toward the line. The waiting hall was full, long lines. Only three inspection corridors were open until shortly before 06:00, and then two more opened. The congestion at the entrance to the pens was terrible. People pushed and were pushed, young men climbed over them to bypass the line, the cries each time the revolving gate opened split the heavens. The line at the “humanitarian” entrance continued to lengthen – but it didn’t open until 06:15. A man on line came over to me, explaning that he thought Hitler was the greatest leader ever, and he was very sorry that I, and others like me, hadn’t already been wiped out then. I decided there was no point in responding. Another man standing with his three cute daughters on the “humanitarian” line told us how he viewed the world, which can be summarized simply as “this will lead only to terror and hatred.” It’s hard to see little girls forced to leave their home while it’s still dark so their father can get to work on time. “Would you send your children to his hell by themselves?” – Certainly not!
There was a long line of cars, but it moved pretty quickly compared to other days. There’s nothing to add about the staff of the security company.
I tried to complain, but it was like speaking to the wind. “The physical set-up” – there’s no alternative. It would have been different in Bnai Braq or in Ofra – but for the Palestinians…who cares anyway.
We left at 08:00, when there was no longer a line, only garbage, filth, shame and frustration!
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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