Why are there Israeli checkpoints in the West Bank?
Israeli checkpoints between the West Bank and Israel, and within the West Bank, are part of Israel’s defensive measures against terrorism. Israel uses the checkpoints to identify terrorists and to control the movement and activities of terrorist cells. Israeli restrictions on Palestinian movement came in response to terror attacks that occurred initially after the signing of the Oslo Accords, but more significantly after the outbreak of the Second Intifada in 2000. The restrictions also prevent Israelis from entering Palestinian towns and cities. Prior to the threat of suicide bombings and other Palestinian terror attacks inside Israel, Israelis and Palestinians travelled freely between the West Bank and Israel and there was substantial trade between the two. After the signing of the Oslo Accords, then-president of the Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat established huge Palestinian security forces, but contrary to his commitments he never used them to prevent terror attacks on Israel.
Prior to the threat of suicide bombings and other Palestinian terrorist attacks inside Israel, Israelis and Palestinians travelled relatively freely between the West Bank and Israel. Israeli restrictions on Palestinian movement came in response to terrorist attacks that occurred initially after the signing of the Oslo Accords, but more significantly after the outbreak of the Second Intifada in 2000. The restrictions also prevent Israelis from entering Palestinian towns and cities. Israeli checkpoints between the West Bank and Israel, and within the West Bank, are part of Israel’s defensive measures against violent attacks. Israel uses checkpoints to identify terrorists and to control the movement and activities of terrorist cells. Checkpoints which prevent the movement of people and goods within the West Bank and between the West Bank and Israel are the source of great frustration for ordinary Palestinians. They are a barrier to Palestinian economic development. Israel recognises this
