Ar-Ram/Qalandiya Monday 17.1.05 PM Observers: Hava B., Noa, Johana (guest), Tova S. (reporting)Ar-Ram: No vehicles nor pedestrians.We drove to Qalandiya on the western side of the wall for the eastern side is being paved. In the southern part of the CP, near the roundabout, many fruit and vegetables, colorful shoes and coffee vendors. Some vendors active on the northbound passage.At the north side of the CP, quite a few vendors, moved by the soldiers towards the end of our vigil but only a few meters from their original spots (let it be clear who’s the boss…!!) Long and slow line of cars waiting to go south.Pedestrian passage northbound has been narrowed by barbed wire.At the CP, 4 young detainees. Next to them, some Border Patrolmen checking IDs on every youngster bound for Ramallah. IDs checked, all data written down. A large group accumulates for checking. At 16:15 the soldiers gather the papers and the checking is over.We saw with great concern how the “humanitarian volunteers” are back, in a big way! Many of them diligently manned the checking post.Detainees: We spoke with them and found out they were from Hebron, were caught in “Tora Bora” and their IDs were being checked. They were promised they’d have them back by evening. Thanks to A.’s intervention, the IDs were returned within minutes but… One of them refused to go back to Ramallah as they needed to get to Hebron. The young man argues with the CP commander, gives him back his ID and refuses to leave the CP. His 3 friends come back to accompany him. The CP commander and Emil try to persuade him to go home.The young man insists on his right to cross. We tried to intervene, everyone agreed he was right, but could not decide on their own. I called Division HQ and was “informed” that he was young, not a humanitarian case, and that these were the rules. After lengthy talks with the officers he agreed to make the long and humiliating way back home.Many pedestrians, no lengthy delays.Ar-Ram: No pedestrians. On the other side of the entrance to Ar-ram towards Qalandiya, a long line of cars waiting for checks of their drivers and passengers. On the side of the road, a bus and 20 passengers who were taken out for having entered Israel without special permits. Most of them young women and small children. Next to several distraught Border Patrolwomen stood a DCO representative, idle. Our attempt to have BP persons intervene with the girl soldiers’ actions were not successful (The CP hotline did not answer).The detainees were moved to the side of the CP structure, and forms were filled very slowly and irritatingly, in which they pledged not to repeat the offense, signed the forms and then received their IDs.