Ar-Ram, Qalandiya

Ar-Ram, Qalandiya, Wednesday afternoon, 20.12.2006Observers: Hanna T., Daniella Y. (reporting)Natanya translating.Ar-Ram15.50 A rolling checkpoint in the direction of Ramallah. A checkpoint for car thieves which is put up and taken down at intervals. Border police check the licenses of the drivers slowly and their ids.They run as if in a game of “catch” after those trying to slip through and act rudely towards us. ‘You have given us a black holiday.” They say that there was an attempt at a stabbing at Qalandiya and therefore they are tense. Ibrahiem is open but there are no customers. He says only VIPs can pass from Ar-Ram to Jerusalem. He himself to get to Jerusalem has to go in the opposite direction to Qalandiya and then through Hizma and Pisgat Ze’ev or take the bus to Jerusalem.Qalandiya 16.35 A traffic jam at the circle. . Those returning from Jerusalem to Ramlallah and waiting at the checkpoint in the direction of Jerusalem block one another. A civilian guard chases us away. Pedestrians at the waiting area and red benchs. A stench of excrement. At the turnstile can be heard the barking of the woman soldier over the loudspeaker. There is no such word as “Please” . Only “one by one”. A man has platina and the machine squeaks. The soldier “Show it to me” As always the people run from one turnstile to another to see which is open and in the hope that they will get through.We go by car to the checkpoint at A-Ram, more than 100 cars waiting to be checked at the checkpoint of the car thieves. Gal promises to shorten the checking. About 20 minutes later we get through on our way to Jerusalem.Another day of “catastrophic routine” (Amira hass)