Hizma

Ar-Ram and Qalandiya checkpoints.Saturday morning 24/9/2005Observers : Nina M. , Rachel H. , Noga K., Ruthi A. (Reporting)08:25 – 08:45 – Ar-RamFew cars. The commander of CP explained about the passage through the CP. Palestinians with a blue ID and passport holders with a valid visa are allowed through the CP. People who have to get to a hospital in East Jerusalem, have to move from the Palestinian ambulance to an Israeli one at the CP. 09:00 Qalandiya Talks with residents. A resident who owns an apartment in Ar-Ram and in Siluwan has a blue ID but his name does not show on any of the Israeli data bases (National security, health insurance). Now the Israeli authorities want to take his blue ID from him. A lawyer is handling the case but he has been waiting for a trial for three and a half years.An elderly person approached us with a health problem. One of his children has diabetes and uses an insulin pump which he can not finance. We directed him to "Physicians For Human Rights". A resident complained that four settlers hit him at Hizma CP on 20/9/05, while he was sitting in his car. The settlers managed to escape in their car. He registered their plate number and filed a complaint at the police.Walking by the peddlers we were told that the boy who helps at the stall was hit by soldiers yesterday. The boy wanted to pass through the CP, but having no original birth certificate, he wasn’t allowed to pass. He tried to pass without being seen and was caught and hit. 09:45 – 10:15 Qalandiya We asked the CP commander for explanations about new arrangements at the CP. He refused to talk to us claiming he was on duty and had a job to do. Most of the other soldiers were sitting and talking since only few people passed through the CP. Not so was the situation where cars were checked. The average waiting time was about 30 minutes.At the parking lot before the CP we were approached by a bus-line manager (no. 18, 78). He told about a problem at Hizma CP. The Soldiers at the CP demand that the bus driver collect the passengers' IDs. If the driver refuses to do so , trouble begins. If there is a passenger from the territories on the bus the whole bus is not allowed to pass. In addition , the bus stands in line together with private cars at the CP , which causes extra delay. The manager of the company asked for separate route for buses but his request was turned down.