Israeli soldiers on checkpoints ordered not to eat or smoke during Ramadan

Monday September 01, 2008 15:52 by IMEMC Staff - IMEMC & Agencies

As the West Bank areas are full of Israeli checkpoints, which grossly hampers movement of the Palestinian population, the Israeli occupation authorities ordered soldiers, manning these checkpoints not to eat or smoke before Palestinian residents, while lining up during the fasting days of Ramadan.

The decision, according to Maan News Agency, has been taken with surprise by the Palestinian residents in the West Bank, who suffer on daily basis at such checkpoints in the various villages, cities and refugee camps.

Many residents voiced the hope that all such roadblocks are dismantled very soon instead and that they are relieved once and for all from the sight of the Israeli soldiers.

According to Palestinian sources, there are at least 550 Israeli checkpoints and roadblocks in many parts of the occupied West Bank.

For eight years, Israel has been placing roadblocks across the West Bank, within what Israel claims its willingness to preserve security and order. In 2000 , the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank broke out an uprising (Intifada) against the Israeli occupation.

On Monday, the Muslim population of the occupied Palestine including the West Bank, observed the first day of the holy month of Ramadan, as believers fast from dawn until sunset throughout the entire month.

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