Professional Documents
Culture Documents
September 2008 15
ECF – USAID/ARD Project:
“Movement, Access and Trade in the West Bank”
Evaluation of Internal Movement Restrictions in the West Bank: A Further
Evaluation
I. General
Evaluating the impact of movement restrictions has become a focal point for decision makers
in their efforts to improve Palestinian freedom of movement within the West Bank, thereby
improving economic, social and political conditions there.1 The World Bank has continually
sited the network of movement restrictions as a central impediment to economic stabilization
and growth2; The Quartet envoy, Tony Blair and his team are pursuing Israeli commitments to
remove movement obstacles while OCHA periodically maps the location and number of
obstacles (their latest report from April 2008 identifying 610 such obstacles) and reports on
their humanitarian impact.
However an accurate evaluation of movement restrictions must be based on empirical criteria,
giving way to an understanding of the varying importance of different obstacles in relation to
others – and their impact on Palestinian fabric of life.3
Our first M&A report submitted under the ECF – USAID/ARD project, “Movement, Access
and Trade in the West Bank,” provided an initial evaluation of a limited number of internal
movement restrictions in the West Bank (see ECF M&A Report #1 of May 2008). This
subsequent report will continue and expand this evaluation. The first part will provide an
analysis of steps taken over the last reporting period (May to August, 2008) by Israel to
1
'Movement restriction' (MR) refers to any one of the several means employed by the IDF to restrict movement,
such as road blocks (RB), earth mounds (EM) and check points (CP).
2
The World Bank report, “ Palestinian Economic Prospects: Aid, Access and Reform” to the AHLC of
September 2008 is the most recent of these such reports.
3
It must also be noted that the IDF's evaluation of the importance of specific movement restrictions is related to
the security threats posed from the area/s in question.
1
remove certain movement restrictions. The second part will follow this up with an evaluation
of further checkpoint and movement obstructions in the West Bank that both have a
considerable impact on Palestinian movement as well as having high likelihood of being
accepted for removal by the Israeli security establishment.
By highlighting key movement restrictions, this report can assist in targeting the efforts of
local and international actors towards the removal of specific and meaningful obstacles as an
initial step towards alleviating the current Israeli movement and access regime in the West
Bank.
2
II. Parameters for the Evaluation of Movement Restrictions
In measuring the importance of movement obstacles in the West Bank, the ECF has
developed the following criteria of evaluation:
1. The Population Affected : The number of people who commute through the movement
restriction and are affected by the restriction
2. The Impact on the Palestinian Fabric of Life : The impact the removal of the specific
movement restriction would have on the fabric of Palestinian life (accessibility to
government facilities and commercial and education centers etc. to Palestinian population
centers, and the impact of the movement restriction on the PA's ability to govern the area)
3. The Impact of the MR on Access to Health Centers : The impact the removal of the
specific movement restriction would have on Palestinians' ability to access health centers
is one of the main humanitarian factors in this assessment of parameters
4. Access to the Crossings on the Green Line and to the Allenby Crossing : The impact of
the specific movement restriction on Palestinian traders' and exporters' access to crossings
between the Palestinian territories and Israel which are located on the Green Line, and the
impact of the MR on the access of passengers and goods to the Allenby crossing – the
only international gateway for the Palestinians
6. Their Impact regarding the Viability & Connectivity of the Palestinian Authority : A
general evaluation of impact of the Movement Restriction on Palestinian Authority
connectivity and contiguity
3
III. Analysis of Recent IDF Steps
During the last reporting period, several further steps have been taken by the IDF to ease
Palestinian movement in the West Bank. This section will analyze these recent moves based
on the criteria elaborated above. While some of these steps have been limited in their positive
impact on the ground – as has been noted by the recent World Bank report to the AHLC –
others have led to noticeable (if yet still localized) improvements in Palestinian movement and
economic activity.
1. Sheep Junction “Tzomet Hakvasim”
The Sheep Junction is the major intersection providing access to/from route 60 for the
southern Hebron industrial zone to the north and the villages of Zif and Yatta to the south.
Until late May, this junction was closed with both roadblocks and road gates, preventing
direct access to route 60 from both the north and south.
Due to its closure, commercial trucks from the industrial zone were not able to exit directly to
route 60 and use major roads to reach their destination; instead they were forced to travel the
length of Hebron city and through Halhul village in order to reach routes 60 and 35 (leading
to the Tarqumiya crossing). Additionally, Palestinians travelling to/from the villages to the
south were forced to take one of several detours, increasing travel distances while using
poorer quality roads.
The rationale for the closure of this junction was to prevent Palestinian movement on this
southern section of route 60. However, the IDF had already in the past began to allow
Palestinian access to on this road, diminishing the necessity of this closure.
4
At the end of May, the IDF opened the Sheep Junction for Palestinian traffic from the north
and south and constructed an observation tower near the junction to monitor movement and
respond to security threats.
Since the opening of this movement restriction, there has been a marked improvement in
Palestinian movement in the region. Economically speaking, commercial trucks – often large
semi and full trailer trucks carrying heavy loads of stone and other goods – no longer have to
travel through the urban streets of Hebron city to reach route 60 and 35, reducing shipping
times and costs and reliving congestion and pollution within the city. Trucks travelling from
the industrial area and factories to the south of route 60 (such as the Qalqas industrial area)
also have a much improved route to this main road and Hebron. More generally, residents
from the villages in the southern Hebron Hills can directly access Hebron city through this
junction, and the health, education and social services located there.
The Sheep Junction prior and after the opening of the roadblock leading to the industrial zone
5
ECF conducted an initial field assessment at the junction on the morning of 8 August 2008 to
survey the volume of traffic utilizing the junction. The following map shows the considerable
level of traffic at the junction during the course of 45 minutes.
2. Direct Access to Route 35: Yehuda – “Fasha alHawa” and Halhul Bridge
Obstacles
The Yehuda or Fasha alHawa and Halhul Bridge obstacles prevent direct access to route 35
from northern Hebron city. Instead, Palestinian traffic was forced to travel through the village
of Halhul, exiting on route 60 and double back south to enter route 35.
The rationale of these obstacles was to prevent Palestinian traffic on route 35; however,
Palestinian travelers were already able (and permitted) to access route 35 once travelling
through Halhul and route 60 (where they passed two partial checkpoints that are rarely
manned). This means there was no rationale to maintaining these obstacles to direct access of
the road (see map below).
6
In August, the IDF opened the Yehuda – Fasha alHawa road gate to Palestinian commercial
traffic between the hours of 06:00 and 13:00. This move again brought significant relief to
commercial traffic from Hebron. Shipments originating from Hebron were able to avoid the
lengthy detour to route 35 via Halhul, decreasing travel times and costs while avoiding the
congested and busy urban streets. ECF also conducted an assessment of this move, observing
a considerable level of traffic through the opened road gate.
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At the beginning of this month, the IDF decided to open the Halhul bridge roadblock, which
they did, while closing the Yehuda road gate – thereby fulfilling a further commitment made
to Quartet Representative, Tony Blair in the area of Movement and Access. This move
provided even a further benefit to Palestinian commercial traffic, as it is the main access point
from Hebron to route 35 and allows commercial trucks to prevent travelling on a parallel
urban road through northern Hebron to the Yehuda gate, and rather allows them to leave
directly from the main access near Halhul. Given this step happened very recently, no initial
field assessment has been possible, however from speaking with businessmen in Hebron as
well as touring route 35 and 60, it is clear this step has led to noticeable improvements in
movement.
8
Commercial movement through the Fasha alHawa gate
3. Shavey Shomron
The Shavey Shomron checkpoint is located adjacent to the Israeli settlement of the same
name and controls access on route 60, which passes directly next to the settlement. This
checkpoint has been closed, preventing Palestinian access on this section of route 60. Due to
this closure, Palestinian travelers between Nablus and Jenin are forced to take a significant
detour, taking them past the Einav checkpoint to the west.
This checkpoint was closed during the course of the second intifada due to attacks on the
Shavey Shomron Settlement. The IDF claimed the checkpoint would be closed until a
security wall was built between the road and the settlement. However, the security wall was
completed years ago, but the checkpoint remained closed.
In August, the IDF opened the Shavey Shomron checkpoint between the hours of 06:00 and
18:00. This checkpoint was also included in the list of Israeli M&A commitments to the Blair
team and with its opening, has allowed Palestinians to avoid the over 12 km. detour to the
west through the Einav checkpoint.
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4. Rafat – Bir Naballah Checkpoint
The Rafat – Bir Naballah checkpoint controls Palestinian traffic between the Bir Naballah
enclave (one of the clusters of Palestinian villages completely surrounded by the security
barrier. This enclave includes Bir Naballah, al Judeira and al Jib) and Ramallah.
While the IDF opened this checkpoint in August, this has not led to a major change on the
ground or in Palestinian quality of life, as the checkpoint was typically open and traffic
flowed relatively freely along the road.
10
5. Earthmounds on Road 60
These obstacles are a series of 18 earthmounds along the length of southern route 60, 317 and
356 in the southern Hebron hills. These earthmounds prevent access to these major roads
from various villages in the southern West Bank. The rationale for the earthmounds was to
prevent Palestinian access on these roads. However, given that Palestinians have been allowed
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to use these roads for almost the last year, there no longer remains the necessity for these
obstacles.
The IDF claimed to have removed this listed earthmounds in May, 2008, however this step
cannot be viewed as a significant step. Some of the earthmounds were not actually removed,
and those that were not the primary access routes to route 60 and so did not significantly
improve these residents access.
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IV. Priorities for Removing Movement Restrictions:
A Highlight on the southern Hebron Hills
Overall Ranking: 4
This section places a highlight on the road gate controlling the southern access to Hebron
City. This obstacle is central to the continuation of recent steps to improve Palestinian M&A
in the Hebron region and increasing socioeconomic development throughout the southern
West Bank.
1. The Population Affected: 4 Controls access for roughly 100,000 Palestinian residents of
the southern West Bank to Hebron City (including the villages of Dhahiriya, A Samoua
and Dura)
2. The Impact on the Palestinian Fabric of Life: 4 Prevents direct access from route 60 to
Hebron City, the regional center for education, social services and local government
offices. Forces residents to take longer roads of poorer quality
3. The Impact of the MR on Access to Health Centers: 4 This obstacle delays the right of
Palestinians residents to reach health centers that are located in Hebron City,
particularly during emergency situations
4. Access to the Crossings on the Green Line and to the Allenby Crossing: 2 Not significant
13
5. Their Economic Impact: 4 Obstructs regular economic activity between the villages and
Hebron. Effects both individuals that need to purchase goods from Hebron as well as
businesses that conduct regular business transactions in Hebron.
6. Their Impact regarding the Viability & Connectivity of the Palestinian Authority: 4
Obstructs government activities, both for utilities and lawandorder
However, to derive the necessary advantage of opening this restriction, it will need to be
accompanied by an opening of the obstacles that prevent these residents access to route 60.
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V. Priorities for Removing Movement Restrictions
The Feasible List: Sliding Scale of 15 (1 = low priority, 5 = high priority)
For this report, ECF has rated various obstacles throughout the West Bank. Factoring in both the overall ranking of the specific obstacles as well
as their relative security importance and options for alternative approaches, the report has came up with a “feasible list” of central restrictions
that pose a higher potentiality for immediate removal.
Movement General IDF View on Security Importance of Affected Impact of Access to Access to Estimated Palestinian Overall
Restriction Description Movement Restriction and Alternative population the MR on Health Green Economic Authority Priority
Security Thinking Pal. Fabric Centers Line /intl. Effect viability & Rate
of Life Crossings Connectivity
15
Road entrance to settlement) and Palestinians. of the WB Ramallah
central
important
medical and 4
capability to
govern
Ramallah and it is The road will be safer for Israelis if it will is but primarily
Block: 5
government education
prohibited for used also by the Palestinians. residents of
institutions centers in
Eastern Palestinian usage The road can be monitored by other Ramallah
4
Ramallah
entrance to technological means.
4 4
Ramallah
16
Movement General IDF View on Security Importance of Affected Impact of Access to Access to Estimated Palestinian Overall
Restriction Description Movement Restriction and Alternative population the MR Health Green Economic Authority Priority
Security Thinking on Pal. Centers Line /intl. Effect viability & Rate
Fabric of Crossings Connectivity
Life
Einav CP This checkpoint
monitors traffic
This is one of the most significant checkpoints
controlling movement in the northern West
465,000
4 4 4 4 4 4
Jenin + Tul
from the Tulkarm Bank. Due to the Shavey Shomron road block,
Karem
and Jenin areas most of the traffic coming from Jenin
southward towards southward is funneled to Einav governorate
Nablus Check point. This CP can be operated on a population
"normally open" basis and operated only
during specific alerts.
4
"Negohot The access to this The road was closed due to several attacks on The villages in Problems
of
extend
access routes 2 4 3.5 4
road is prohibited residents of the settlements of Negohot the the western of
Road" for Palestinians IDF decided to close the road that connects Hebron hills
provision to Hebron
of services Medical
the settlement to Israel. There is an appeal to Direct such as centers
the high court against this closure. population of
Fuqeikis 4
water
The alternative thinking is that this closure is 25,000 and supply etc.
Road Block
counter productive because it give the terrorist larger Hebron
safe targets – because the road is used only by hills area of 4
Israelis. 300,000
people
4
Yehuda The Road Block The IDF opened the RB recently from 06:00 300,000
4 4 5 4 4 4
preventing the 13:00 it is recommended to extend the people in
CP access from opening hours and to allow all vehicles access Hebron
Hebron to Raod 35 to road 35. the vehicles can be randomly
– yehuda crossroad checked
4
17
Movement General IDF View on Security Importance of Affected Impact of Access to Access to Estimated Palestinian Overall
Restriction Description Movement Restriction and Alternative population the MR on Health Green Economic Authority Priority
Security Thinking Pal. Fabric Centers Line /intl. Effect viability & Rate
of Life Crossings Connectivity
18
19
Movement General IDF View on Security Importance of Affected Impact of Access to Access to Estimated Palestinian Overall
Restriction Description Movement Restriction and Alternative population the MR on Health Green Economic Authority Priority
Security Thinking Pal. Fabric Centers Line /intl. Effect viability & Rate
of Life Crossings Connectivity
Jericho This CP controls
the access to and
This CP is part of the IDF attempt to minimize Immediate
the number of vehicles on Road 1 and part of impact on
Impact on
the Jericho
Removal
would allow
Removal
would allow
3 5 3.5
DCO CP from Jericho via the control over the city of Jericho Jericho population quick access quick access
Road 1 population
and on the
3 of Jericho
residents to
of Jericho
manufacturer
connectivity the medical s to the
between the centers in green line
city and the Jerusalem crossings
rest of WB and
5
3 Ramallah
3
Bitin This road block The IDF is blocking this junction due to terror 15,000
4 2 3 5 3.5
Will shorten
prevents the direct attack in this spot few years ago immediate access routes
access to connection of Bitin population in
to Ramallah
Medical
Road 60 Ein Yabrud and the three centers
Siluad to Road 60 villages and
The RB is located the rest of
neat the illegal Ramallah
outpost – Giva'at district
Asaf 300,000
people
3
Beit Furik This check point is Important in breaking terror links between 167,000
2 2 2 3
Impact on Impact on
part of the closure Nablus and the villages around it. The CP is residents of the access to access to the
CP around Nablus and part of the closure around Nablus and the IDF Nablus and
the Hospitals in
Government Nablus
20
it monitors the claim is that removal of the closure will ease the two
4
offices and
movement between the access of terrorists out from Nablus and villages Universities
in Nablus
Nablus and two from the area of Beit Furik towards the Jordan
towns – Beit Furik valley and Jerusalem
3 4
and Beit Dagan
Movement General IDF View on Security Importance of Affected Impact of Access to Access to Estimated Palestinian Overall
Restriction Description Movement Restriction and Alternative population the MR on Health Green Line Economic Authority Priority
Security Thinking Pal. Fabric Centers /intl. Effect viability & Rate
of Life Crossings Connectivity
3
Bani Naim This EM prevents At the area of the field there were terror Direct
4 4 3 3 3
the access to Bani attacks in past years and the IDF closed the affected
Entrance Naim – a village of road as a response. Since three years ago there population – 3
EM 25,000 people. The are no terror attacks in the region. 25,000
EM is due to the residents of
proximity of Kalev BaniNaim
Field that belongs + 200,000 of
to A settler called the Hebron
21
Menahem Livni. areas
The EM prevents residents
the residents of
Bani Naim access
4
to Road 60
Movement General IDF View on Security Importance of Affected Impact of Access to Access to Estimated Palestinian Overall
Restriction Description Movement Restriction and Alternative population the MR on Health Green Line Economic Authority Priority
Security Thinking Pal. Fabric Centers /intl. Effect viability & Rate
of Life Crossings Connectivity
Sara The road gate
prevents the direct
This MR is part of the closure that is forced
around Nablus and is aimed to control the
Direct
impact on
4 4 3 3 3 3
connection terror elements that thrive in Nablus. The MR the 2500
between Nablus can be removed and replaced with MR people of
and Qalqilia Sara.
Indirect
affects all
the Nablus
and Qalqilia
population
4
Yabed – The road gate is
blocking the access
The IDf closed this entrance as part of the
security measures to protect the passengers of
Immediate
impact on
3 3 3 3 3 3
Imeriha of Yabed to Road Mevo Dotan that uses this road. There were the residents
Connection 585. several terror attack on this road in the past. of Yabed and
In the same junction there is a pillbox that if Imeriha =
Manned can be compensated the security loss 16,000
22
Shufa – The Dirt Road that The IDF rational is to prevent the movement Immediate
3 3 2 2 2 2.5
connects the two on roads that can be used as escape routes. impact on
Kfar villages is blocked These roads, according to IDF, can be used by the villages
Labed in three locations terrorists that aim to attack the near by of Shufa
by Earth Monds settlements – Einav and Avney Hefetz and (1500) Kufar
Connection
and thus affect the Passengers that uses road 557 leading to them. Labed
farmers and the rest Alternative security measures can be applied (4000) and
of the villagers here such as more foot patrol and ambushes of Anabta
even a road gate that is closed during night (11,000)
and open during the day when the farmers
needs to work their land
3
Movement General IDF View on Security Importance of Affected Impact of Access to Access to Estimated Palestinian Overall
Restriction Description Movement Restriction and Alternative population the MR on Health Green Line Economic Authority Priority
Security Thinking Pal. Fabric Centers /intl. Effect viability & Rate
of Life Crossings Connectivity
23
Junction to the Dead Sea Jordan across the Dead Sea. population
shores. In our opinion the reason is the Israeli but mainly
CP After some legal Kibbutzim in the region don't want Jericho, and
actions the CP is Palestinians mixed in the Israeli visitors in the Ramallah
now operated only commercial beaches. area
on weekends
4
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25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
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VI. Priorities for Removing Movement Restrictions:
Additional Obstacles
This list of significant checkpoints was included in the initial ECF M&A report. They constitute some of the checkpoints with the greatest impact
on Palestinian quality of life, economic activity and political connectivity, however, due to their perceived security value to the IDF movement
and access regime, the Israeli security establishment will be more reluctant to remove these obstacles without further improvements in stability
on the ground.
Movement General IDF View on Security Importance of Affected Impact of Access to Access to Estimated PA viability & Overal
Restriction Description Movement Restriction and Alternative population the MR on Health Green Line Economic Connectivity l
Security Thinking Pal. Fabric Centers /intl. Effect Priorit
of Life Crossings y Rate
Container This check point This is the central and most important 1,200,000 Impact on Impact on The most 5 The most 5
CP monitors most of Check Point in all of the West Bank since north of the the access the access important significant
the traffic between it to to the main access road impediment
CP and
the north and south is actually the only road that connects the Governmen medical to Allenby to the
the West Bank. northern West Bank to the southern West 692,000 t offices services crossing connectivity
Bank. Hence, there is extremely high south of the and and to 5 of the
importance in opening this funnel to a CP Education Ramallah Palestinian
"normally open" status. The security 5 centers in and East Authority
needs can be dealt with when needed by Ramallah Jerusalem 5
soldiers in pillbox similar to many other and East 5
Jerusalem
locations throughout the WB
4
Khawara This CP is part of The CP is part of the IDF closure on Jenin + Tul Impact on Impact on 5 Removal A Removal 5
CP the closure around Nablus and monitors the main southern Karem + the access the access will have will have
to Nablus to several an great impact
Nablus entrance to Nablus. A limited number of Nablus
government important important on the
cars are permitted to cross. residents facilities, Hospitals effect on connectivity
5 commercial and the trade in of Nablus to
35
and Universities and from the rest of the
education in Nablus Nablus WB
centers 4 which use 5
5 to be the
main
commercial
center in
the PA
5
Movement General IDF View on Security Importance of Affected Impact of Access to Access to Estimated Palestinian Overall
Restriction Description Movement Restriction and Alternative population the MR on Health Green Line Economic Authority Priority
Security Thinking Pal. Fabric Centers /intl. Effect viability & Rate
of Life Crossings Connectivit
y
Shavey The road block The road block was built to protect the Jenin + Tul Impact on Impact on 5 5 Removal 5
Shomron prevents settlement from the threat of shooting Karem + access to the access will open
Nablus and to Hospitals road 60 as
Road Block movements on road from the near by road. Nablus
Jenin in Nablus the main
60 near Shavey residents
5 5 South –
Shomron settlement 2 years ago a wall was built to deal with 5 North road
this threat and the road block is no longer in the WB
necessary. 4
Beit Ibba This CP is part of The CP is part of the IDF closure on Jenin + Tul Impact on Impact on 5 A Removal A Removal 5
CP the closure around Nablus and monitors the main Western Karem + the access the access will have will have
to Nablus to several an great
Nablus entrance to Nablus. A limited number of Nablus
government important important impact on
cars are permitted to cross. residents facilities, Hospitals effect on the
5 commercial and the trade in connectivit
and Universities and from y of Nablus
education in Nablus Nablus to the rest
centers 4 which use of the WB
to be the
36
5 main 5
commercial
center in
the PA
5
37
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