Qalandiya, Tue 5.11.13, Morning
05:40: The lines were shorter than usual and the pace was better than on recent days at this hour, although Lane 4 was functioning only for people without carry bags. But the situation worsened at about 6:45, when there was a change of shift and a new slower group operated (an MP woman and a policeman). Somewhat later, there was a technical failure at Lane 5 and it was closed down for quarter of an hour. The combination of the two brought about a most difficult morning at the CP. Instead of the usual peak at about 7:00, this time it ended at about 7:45 and no doubt workmen were late to work.
The 'humanitarian' gate opened up at 6:15 and again whenever a group formed there.
The policeman escorted a woman in a wheelchair through gate 5. We talked with people on line and their opinion was that the delays occurred when the soldiers on duty dealt with their mobile phones while they were on duty. No doubt had the use of phones been banned, the pace of passage would have improved considerably. We wanted to suggest a similar course to the senior Police Officer in charge of the CP but had trouble obtaining his name in order to approach him
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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