Qalandiya - Development work and road construction have not yet been completed
We came to Qalandiya after a long absence. A cold dark morning. Roadworks have not yet been completed, but between the circle in front of the checkpoint and the circle before it, there are separate lanes for public transport leading to and from the bus stations next to the checkpoint to its west.
All along the road leading to the checkpoint, there is a bay for parking, and we parked there. Wrapped in coats, scarves, and gloves we made our way to the Palestinian side. It was very cold, but not raining and the only sun we saw was on an advertising poster… later the sun did manage to peep through the clouds for a few minutes.
Our friend, Abu Ramzi the beigel seller, stood under the shelter next to the central lane entrance. He said he has been allowed to stand there, but before 7 o’clock he finishes selling his wares and leaves. He has a difficult time making a living, having to help bring up his grandchildren because of family difficulties.
All three lanes were open all the time, and passage was fast, without delays. We went to the nearby kiosk for hot tea, and on the way there we saw that there is work being done in the area that had in the past been a parking lot. There are markings that look like a route leading to a circle. On the sidewalk opposite the checkpoint were mounds of gravel. We will check this on our next visit. Perhaps at least part of the area will be returned for public use.
As reported previously, the old checkpoint area is blocked and there are building works happening there, leaving only an approach to the toilets – to two cubicles only, dirty and smelly. The sign indicating the toilets, as well as the sign pointing to the emergency exit, is thrown behind the shed, and water is flowing from the pipes behind it – both from the blue pipe and where one can see the black plastic bag in the picture. All the surrounding area is wet…
At 7 o’clock we entered the checkpoint. Inside, 4 out of the 6 bag checking stations were working and there were short lines in front of them, but they advanced quickly. After that most Palestinians pass through the electronic gates
and do not pause at all. We went through a manned position.
On the way back, on the Israel side, we saw that they have completed erecting a pedestrian bridge over the road, leading to the bus station. On the bridge is a metal construction on which apparently, there will be roofing. We photographed this from different angles.
In one of the pictures, we see the bridge from the right. In the middle, a bus is turning round the new circle on its way from the bus station on the public transport lane signed in red. Behind it are the buses standing in the station and, beyond, are the tall buildings of Qalandiya refugee camp.