Qalandiya, Tue 7.8.12, Morning
06:00: Long queues reaching the parking lot. Scenes familiar from the past that we had nearly forgotten these recent months.
The look the Palestinians gave us implied: "where were you, see how it's all back again" But we're just as surprised as they – the passage in Ramadan was supposed to be eased. But we all know that even one small hindrance in the line can cause so much delay. All advancing slowly, the "humanitarian" queue hasn't opened yet.
The ecumenical observer told us that this was the situation from 5am – something went wrong with the inspection process. The polite and nice policeman on duty didn't seem bothered by the situation and thought all was working well. Only when the liaison (Matak) officer arrived and made some phone calls did the queue really get going – within an hour all was cleared and the men were on their way to work. By 7am passage was normal.
The vehicle barrier seems to be having an identity dilemma. In short: its aims are identical to those of Hizme – inspecting vehicles entering Jerusalem. Yet the
Settlers on their way to Jerusalem cross through Hizme! so delays and traffic jams must be prevented!
In recent months we had been required to abide by the rules set for the Palestinians: one of us could cross through in our vehicle, the second observer on foot. This was remedied following Hanna's last discussions with the Army and now we can both pass through by car. We also noticed that there was an improvement in the pace of passage in general.
This morning cars passed through fairly rapidly, and the documents were checked efficiently. But when our turn came, the soldiers were perplexed: they studied our papers, phoned the commanders, etc. Finally, two MP's came running and released us from the unknowing soldier. All were courteous and nice.
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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