Daan Bauwens

Sun sets on an encircled town



QALQILIYA, occupied West Bank (IPS) - Qalqiliya has been an encircled town since the Israeli West Bank barrier was built around it in 2003. Only one narrow gate guarded by Israeli soldiers allows access. The anger, disbelief and protests over this situation have become muted. The people of Qalqiliya are waking up to the reality of near imprisonment. The town’s legislators spend most of their time in Israeli prisons without being charged of anything.