Israel Closes West Bank Crossings for a Week, Increasing Palestinian Movement Restrictions
Israel has sealed off the occupied West Bank for a week for Sukkot, further limiting Palestinian movement, access to holy sites, and work opportunities.
Highlights
- Israel has implemented a week-long closure of West Bank crossings, citing the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.
- This measure significantly restricts Palestinian freedom of movement and access to religious sites like the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
- The closure intensifies existing restrictions imposed by hundreds of Israeli checkpoints and barriers across the territory.
- Palestinians with work permits for Israel are barred from entry, exacerbating an already diminished workforce since the conflict in Gaza began.
- The move comes despite a recent UN General Assembly resolution calling for an end to Israel's occupation.
Details
On Sunday, Israel initiated a week-long closure of the occupied West Bank, following a recommendation from the military and an order by Defense Minister Israel Katz. This closure, set to last until Saturday, tightens existing controls at over 300 checkpoints and barriers already present across the territory. These measures severely impede Palestinian movement between towns and main roads, forcing longer commutes for work and education, and hindering access to essential services like medical care. Specific areas such as Ramallah and el-Bireh governorate saw roads blocked and entrances to several towns shut, with soldiers establishing checkpoints for vehicle searches and ID verification.
The closure also impacts Palestinians holding permits to work in Israel and its settlements. This workforce has seen a substantial reduction since the start of the conflict in Gaza in October 2023. Prior to that, approximately 160,000 Palestinians from the West Bank were employed by Israeli entities. By mid-2024, after most permit holders were denied entry, this figure dropped to around 27,300. Consequently, unemployment in the West Bank surged from 12.9% in September 2023 to 30.7% a year later, according to the Israeli rights group Gisha. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs notes that the over 300 checkpoints are part of 925 obstacles that restrict the movement of 3.4 million Palestinians across the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Why it matters
This latest closure underscores the ongoing impact of Israel's occupation on daily Palestinian life in the West Bank. The increased movement restrictions and economic hardship, particularly affecting those reliant on work in Israel, contribute to heightened tensions. Despite international calls, including a recent UN General Assembly resolution urging an end to the occupation, Israel has continued to intensify its activities in the region, including settlement expansion and raids, further complicating prospects for a resolution.