Qalandiya

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Observers: 
Ronny Perlman, Ora Shinitsky; Translator:  Charles K.
Nov-7-2016
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Morning

We arrived at Qalandiya from Tel Aviv at 05:00.  It was a pretty cold morning for us Tel Avivians.

We parked on the Palestinian side and entered the checkpoint building on foot.  The five inspection stations were open and the three turnstiles were working.  The line in the canopied area was fairly short and the crossing seemed to go relatively smoothly.  At 05:15 those seeking to cross had already begun to form long lines which soon stretched beyond the canopy.  During the next two hours the line was quiet and orderly.  The order and quiet were disrupted instantly when some men tried to butt in line.  The three very long lines vanished, replaced by large groups of people crowded at the entrances to the cages.  It seemed from the side that people were in danger of being crushed.  Almost an hour passed before three orderly lines reformed.

The humanitarian gate opened exactly at 06:00 and admitted people after their permits were inspected.

When we left the checkpoint at 09:00 there were still lines, but they weren’t very long, and additional people didn’t arrive.

Everyone we spoke to said that yesterday, Nov. 6, there were very long lines.  Even though five inspection stations were operating each of them let people through terribly slowly.

We had a chance to speak to some people waiting to cross.  The general feeling is of great anger and despair, or as one young man who works at the chicken slaughterhouse in Atarot put it, very difficult and shitty…

We also met an architect living on the Palestinian side of the fence, while his family and job are in East Jerusalem.  He asked what we did besides observing, and didn’t seem very impressed when we told him about the reports we send to various recipients.

We were able to help two people who had appointments at the passport section of the American consulate, and had they not arrived on time would have had to wait another month.  The soldiers agreed to admit them through the humanitarian gate so they could arrived on time.

Another day of the occupation routine.