Despite claims by the Israeli military, PCHR’s field workers in the West Bank report that Israeli occupation forces (IOF) have continued positioning forces at stable military checkpoints erected at the entrances to the major towns, and have also erected a number of sudden military checkpoints at the main crossroads on the eve of the Palestinian presidential election.

In Nablus, IOF have maintained their presence at Beit Eiba checkpoint, northwest of the city; Hawara and Za’tara checkpoints, south of the city; and Beit Fourik checkpoint, east of the city. They have also continued to close al-Bathan road leading to the Jordan Valley and Nablus – Qalqilya road with cement blocks. On Thursday, 6 January 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at al-Lubban al-Sharqi crossroads on Nablus – Ramallah road. Many Palestinian civilian vehicles traveling to Ramallah waited at the checkpoint in a very long queue under rainy and stormy weather. IOF erected another checkpoint at the crossroads of Nablus Street with “Yitzhar” settlement, south of the city.

In Jenin, IOF have maintained their presence at stable military checkpoints around the town: Sabah al-Khair checkpoint on Nazareth Street, north of the town; Deir Abu Da’if checkpoint, northeast of the town; Barta’a al-Sharqiya checkpoint, west of the town; Tayaseer checkpoint, east of Tubas; al-Hamra checkpoint in the central Jordan Valley. On Thursday, 6 January 2005, IOF erected 3 military checkpoints on Nablus – Jenin road; one at al-Shuhada crossroads, a second one at ‘Arraba crossroads, and a third one at Jaba’ crossroads.

In Tulkarm, IOF have maintained their presence at al-Kafriyat checkpoint, south of the town, and al-Taibeh checkpoint, west of the town. IOF have also continued to close Ennab iron gate on Nablus road. On Wednesday, 5 January 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint at Far’oun crossroads, south of the town, and another one at Bala’a checkpoint on Tulkarm – Nablus road. On Thursday, 6 January 2005, IOF erected a checkpoint in Qiffin area, north of the town, on the road leading to Jenin.

In Jericho, IOF have maintained their presence at al-Diouk checkpoint, northwest of the town; al-Mo’rajat checkpoint, west of the town; and the DCO checkpoint, south of the town. They have also maintained their control over the eastern entrance of the town, which leads to al-Karama Terminal on the Jordanian border.

In Ramallah, IOF have maintained their presence at Qalandya checkpoint, south of the town, ‘Attara checkpoint, north of the town, and “Halmish” settlement crossroads, northwest of the town.

In Bethlehem, IOF have maintained their presence at Gilo checkpoint, north of the town; the Container checkpoint, northeast of the town, which separates between the north and south of the West Bank; and Kfar Etzion checkpoints on Bethlehem – Hebron road. On Thursday evening, 6 January 2005, IOF closed the western entrance to al-Khader village, west of Bethlehem, with rocks and sand barriers.

In Hebron, IOF have maintained their presence at Tarqoumia checkpoint, northwest of the town; al-Zahiriya checkpoint, west of the town; Yatta and al-Sammou’ checkpoints, south of the town; al-Kassara checkpoint, southeast of the town; Beit Ummar – Halhoul checkpoint, north of the town; a checkpoint at the eastern entrance of the town; al-Harayiq checkpoint, southwest of the town; al-Fahes checkpoint, south of the town; and Sa’ir –Halhoul checkpoint, northeast of the town. In the past three days, IOF erected checkpoints at the following junctions: Beer Musallam, west of the town; Sinjer – Dura, southwest of the town; al-Zahiriya – al-Sammou’, south of the town; Hebron – Beit Einoun, east of the town; and Beit Kahel, northwest of the town. IOF have also maintained their presence at the following checkpoints inside Hebron: a checkpoint at the entrance of Tal al-Rumaida area; a checkpoint at al-Shallala – al-Shuhada crossroads; a checkpoint in al-Zaheda area in the old town; a checkpoint at al-Sahla – Krantina crossroads; a checkpoint at the Ibrahimite Yard; a checkpoint at Jaber – al-Salaima crossroads; a checkpoint at al-Nassara – al-Masharqa crossroads; a checkpoint at al-Masharqa – Kiryat Arba crossroads; a checkpoint at al-Hisba crossroads; a checkpoint at al-Kassara – Jabal Jouhar crossroads; and a checkpoint at Hebron – Halhoul crossroads.

Furthermore, IOF have continued to close the entrances to dozens of villages and refugee camps with rocks and sand barriers.

PCHR calls on the international community to exert pressure on the Israeli authorities to facilitate freedom of movement for Palestinian civilians during the election period. Despite repeated incursions into civilian areas and severe restrictions on freedom of movement, thus far the Palestinian elections have continued to progress satisfactorily.

Related Links