morning

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Place: 
Observers: 
Talia S.,Mira,Judy O
Jan-12-2004
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Morning

A-Ram, Qalandiya, 12th Jan. morning. Watchers:Talia S., Mira, Judy O (reported) Qalandia, 7.00. Military police were on duty. The commander was amiable and answered questions pleasantly. At this hour there were very few pedestrians but there was a long line of vehicles moving south. They were being checked thoroughly and slowly but the line did move constantly. We were told by the commander that women over 30, and men over 40, were allowed through, though, it didn't seem that anyone in particular was being checked. While we were there, there were no long queues or particular problems. However, when we returned to the southern entrance, there was a group of about 20 men and a few women going north towards Ramallah, who had been randomly stopped and whose I.D's had been taken for checking. Some had to wait over an hour, while a girl soldier made phone calls. As some were released, others were added to the group. The reason for checking people moving northwards was not clear and the soldiers were not ready to impart information other than that they were looking for someone.Between reading the I.D. numbers into the phone, the girl soldier had plenty of time to laugh and joke with whomever was at the other end of the line. These jovial spirits were shared by another girl soldier who was supposedly guarding but was not visibly doing anything other than occasionally shouting at the Palestinians not to be so impatient.At the same time, passengers of a bus also travelling north were told to get off and walk through the checkpoint and then reenter the bus at the other side of the checkpoint.At A-Ram, we joined the line of pedestrians, and, as they did, we also showed our I.D. and were allowed to pass. The line of vehicles was not particularly long but moved slowly. Judy.