Qalandiya
05.15. There were already a number of people on the Israeli side when we arrived. Many were smiling, and told us that the day was good. Two young men of the “Blue and White Human Rights” organization were handing out leaflets at the entrance.
Inside the shed the queues were orderly, reaching just outside the shed. There was already a policeman on duty. All 5 checking stations were open, and appeared to work at a reasonable speed. The soldier in the aquarium opened the turnstiles frequently, letting in few people at a time. This gave people in line a feeling that they were progressing all the time – and probably because of this were not motivated to start pushing. Any women arriving were allowed to merge at the entrance to the cages.
Our friend H. told us that one day last week he apparently broke a rib at the checkpoint. Now he has pain and finds difficulty in breathing. Both he and others tell us that it is only yesterday and today that conditions are calm. At the beginning of the week, and all last week (as we had reported), there was chaos.
Soon after 6 a.m. a guard arrived, and a replacement for the soldier in the aquarium. We went outside to inspect. People approaching the shed do not know if it is a good sign that there are no lines outside (no queues), or a bad sign (that the lines have once again collapsed). We were happy to reassure them and they were all smiles.
By 6.20 the queues were really short and we joined one. By the time we left no one had yet come to open the Humanitarian gate, but there was no need. We had earlier noticed that at checking station no.4 the turnstile was out of order, and people were entering through the gate at its side. Soldiers were allowing 5 people at a time to pass it. We ourselves were through in 10 minutes!
Outside we met again the “Blue and White” young men. We asked them why they did not enter the checkpoint. They asked where the entrance was! It seems it was their first visit. They, too, had heard that conditions were good, and we explained that unfortunately this was an atypical day. The path back to our car was full of their leaflets that people had thrown away. We saw a girl in school uniform with her little brother, whom we had not seen among the pedestrians – they must have crossed in a car. Kids are kids- the little one was singing and jumping, his sister anxiously grabbing his hand …
Good morning!!