UN report: “More roadblocks in the West Bank”

Tuesday September 30, 2008 22:42 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

A report published by the United Nations this week revealed that in spite of Israeli vows to ease restrictions on movement in the West Bank, the Israeli army increased the number of roadblocks and search points.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that the Israeli army installed 19 news barriers since April this year, increasing the number of roadblock to 630, 93 of which are used for a full search.

Several countries pressured Israel to ease restrictions on movement in the occupied West Bank because a trip that would normally take only 20 minutes could now take up to several hours and in some cases would be impossible.

The UN added that three-quarters of the main roads which lead to the main eighteen Palestinian cities and towns are either sealed or fully controlled by the army.

The UN also said that this percentage indicates 3% or nineteen more obstacles that the Palestinians currently face daily. This number does not include the 69 obstacles and barriers under full Israeli control in the southern West Bank city of Hebron.

The UN office added that this Israeli policy has lasted eight years and is an attempt to limit confrontations between the Palestinians and the Israelis. Their official purpose is also to limit attacks on Israeli civilians, but has developed to be a permanent system ripping through and isolating the occupied West Bank.

On Monday Israel imposed a three-day-long strict siege on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip as it marks the new Jewish year. The closure had a direct impact on residents, as Muslims are celebrating the Al Fitir feast.

Palestinians complained that this closure is barring them from visiting their relatives in several parts of the West Bank during the feast. This includes barring them from heading to Jerusalem for prayers at the Al Aqsa Mosque and visiting their relatives in the Holy City and in Arab cities and towns within Israel.

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