A-Ram

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Place: 
Observers: 
Iris B.,Roni H.,Shira,Gal K.,Norah O.
Jan-11-2005
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Afternoon

A-Ram Qalandiya, Tuesday 11.1.05 PMObservers: Iris B., Roni H., Shira, Gal K., Norah O. (reporting)Guests: Tina from Austria, 6 elections-monitors from GreeceA-Ram15:10 – We found a rather long pedestrian line and a detainee who claimed to be standing for an hour. Apparently he drove his car in the VIP lane (southbound), and when the CP woman-commander yelled at him, he answered he was hurrying to visit his sister in the hospital. The Border Patrolwoman (a girl whose rudeness exceeds even the standards we have been “accustomed” to) said: “Is that so? Well, I’ll show you – I’ll have you waiting here the whole day long!” The fellow holds a blue ID (Israeli), so this is an extreme case of re-education. We tried to interfere on his behalf, and had our own taste of the powerful little soldier’s brute manners. We called Border Patrol HQ and spoke with Shoshana, Complaint Commissioner (works with Nava), who passed our complaint on to the girl’s commander.Part 2: Civilian police was summoned to check the detained driver’s car, for he was driving without the vehicle’s license. Soon more police experts were alerted for a thorough check of all the car’s parts, searching for signs of fraud in case it was stolen. Meirav, policewoman of our acquaintance, arrived as well and fined him heavily for his violation. Furthermore, a tow truck was called in, in the eventuality that this would turn out to be a stolen car. We decided to leave at 15:50, sensing that as long as we were present, the fellow would not be released.Part 3: Later we called the young man to inquire. He told us he was held at the CP another hour after we left. His car was grounded for a month and is now parked next to his house (not stolen, then!) and he won’t be able to work as a driver all this time. Furthermore, he told us that while standing there as a detainee, once here once there, his wallet disappeared (containing his driving license, various documents and 700 NIS). He is afraid to complain with the police and we have not yet decided whether to complain on his behalf, if he agrees of course.On our way back through A-Ram CP, we checked with the commander whether she returned the guy’s personal effects. She claimed she did, and responded to our query with surprising courtesy this time. Apparently she had been scolded by her superiors.Qalandiya16:00 – both south and north sides now have quite a few vendors again. This is good news in view of all the army’s intimidation measures. Tomorrow our friend H. is to report for questioning at the Beit El Police station, regarding the complaint he filed against soldiers who set his stand on fire several weeks ago. Let’s hope he’ll be reimbursed!At the north side CP, 2 young men are pulled out of the line for a random check of their hands to see whether they had touched explosives. The results negative, they are sent on their way within minutes.3 Border Patrolmen standing on the north side, check IDs of young men northbound, writing down their details and sending them on.The pedestrian crossing southbound is run with unusual efficiency.We head north, to the cab station area. On our way back, the CP commander shows his hostility and orders us to stand in line for checkup (very meticulous in our case). We inquire whether Alon, the psychopath strangler, is around.He is not.We leave at 18:00.