Governor Ta’mari says Israeli checkpoints in Bethlehem increase steadily

Sunday August 12, 2007 21:48 by Rami Almeghari - IMEMC & Agencies

Governor of the occupied West Bank city of Bethlehem, Salah Ta’mari, revealed on Sunday that the Israeli checkpoints across the holy city have been increasing steadily.

Governor of Bethlehem, Salah Ta'mari

Ta’mari’s remarks came against alleged Israeli removal of a number of checkpoints throughout the West Bank.

The governor also said that the placement of roadblocks in the city has grossly restricted movement of residents, particularly to the nearby city of Hebron.

He added that Israeli soldiers, manning the checkpoints, have been harassing passersby on daily basis by holding them for prolonged hours, denying them smooth movement.

The Palestinian official denied Israeli claims on reduction of checkpoints and roadblocks, noting that the restriction of locals’ movement has been concurrent with continuous Israeli army incursions as well as construction of the Apartheid Wall deep into the city of Bethlehem.

In a related note, spokesman of Israeli Prime Minister’s office said “ wherever and whenever possible, it is Israel’s intention to ease movement restrictions faced by the Palestinian population, while taking into account the security situation”.

In the meantime, U.S House Foreign Committee Chairman, Tom Lantos, told journalists today that “premature removal of checkpoints is a guarantee of violence and terrorism breakout”.

Palestinian policemen have been recently deployed in some of the West Bank areas, following an agreement with Israel on new security arrangements.

According to Palestinian estimates, there are approximately 450 Israeli checkpoints and roadblocks in the West Bank, making Palestinian daily life difficult and causing death of pregnant and sick people from time to time.

bethlehem | miscellaneous | news report rami at imemc dot org