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Observers: 
Marit T.,Chana A.
Feb-22-2004
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Morning

Anata, Ar-Ram, Qalandiya 22/2/2004 Watchers: Marit T., Chana A. (reporting) Our watch was COLD!!! The wind was of storm proportions, but luckily no rain. Anata/Shoafat. Our first stop. Soldiers aloof, but everyone was let through, pedestrians as well as cars. We promised ourselves to come again at the end of the watch, but Marit was not feeling well and we didn't. A-Ram. Cold but passable. No detaineesinfo-icon, everyone went through. On the way back in the car we had to wait in line for about five minutes. Nothing irregular. Qalandiya. Detainees. Two guys who, when we approached them, were very hostile. After a while they realized that they might get some benefit from us, and called us back. We called the Moked Humanitari (Humanitarian Center) and asked them to speed things up for them. After a few minutes, they were indeed given their IDs back but sent back to where they came from. The pedestrian line, not very long at first, grew to around a hundred while we were there. Still it took only a few minutes to get through. Everyone was let through, it seemed. This was confirmed by the CO, Leonid, who said that only young men (aged 15-35) were supposed to be checked thoroughly. Women were to be passed through with minimal inspection. Leonid seemed a decent guy and spoke to us politely.The line of cars coming from the north was another story. It was backed up out of sight when we were on the northern end of the CP. We didn't time the wait, but it wasn't quick. At least the drivers were protected from the biting wind. The fence winds its way there and the parking lot at the runway was full of cars. A taxi driver on the northern side living in Qalandiya (family from Jenin) reported that his brother was attacked by soldiers in the Tora-Bora the night before. His leg was broken and he is hospital in Jericho; name: Ziyad Hamdan Gerarmeh. On our way back, screaming police cars passed us on all sides. Then ambulances and we turned on the radio. The last Jerusalem bombing was only meters away from where my car was parked, and obviously I had to leave it there for hours until the road was cleared (luckily no discernible damage). Reality bites.