Current Situation in OPT - By Pauline Nunu

BYPauline Nunu

Palestine

"Inclusion and Human Rights as a Key to Development and Security Policy”

West Bank(5,600 km2),

Palestinians W.B. pop. 2.5 million

Gaza pop. 1.5 million

161 Israeli settlements,96 outposts(285 km2)pop. 450,000

Israeli military closed areas and 27 military bases(1,175 km2)

Focus points

- Access and movement- Closed military areas- Fragmentation of the West Bank

- Confiscation of resources (Land and Water)

- Human Dignity/Protection- Settlement expansion- Home Demolition: Forced Eviction and

Displacement

System of multi-layered restrictions

Checkpoints & road blocks (630) Restricted roads The Wall (725 km long)

CheckpointCheckpointA barrier manned by IDF and/or Border Police with observation towers and other physical blocks used to control pedestrian and vehicular access.

Partial CheckpointPartial CheckpointAn established checkpoint operating periodically.

TrenchTrenchA ditch dug across or along roads used to prevent vehicle movement.

Road GateRoad GateA metal gate used to control Palestinian movement between roads.

RoadblockRoadblockA series of 1 metre concrete blocks placed across roads used by Palestinians to obstruct vehicle movement.

EarthmoundEarthmoundA mound of rubble, dirt, and boulders placed in the middle of a road used by Palestinians to obstruct vehicle movement.

EarthwallEarthwallA series of earthmounds less than 50m apart.

RoadbarrieRoadbarrierr2 metre high fencing along West Bank roads which are reserved, generally, forIsraeli traffic. These fences impede Palestinians from using and crossing these roads many of which run between main cities.

West Bank BarrierWest Bank BarrierThe Barrier is an additional impediment to Palestinian movement. A 703km long complex series of 8-9m high concrete walls, electronic fences, observation towers, trenches, patrol roads and razor wire used to block Palestinian pedestrian and vehicular movement inside the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Israeli SettlementsIsraeli Military Closed Areas

“Flying” checkpoints

In addition to the several hundred fixed closures, random or “flying” checkpoints further restrict Palestinian movement.

455 of these random checkpoints were observed during January 2007.

The World Bank

“Restrictions on Palestinian movement is the principle

cause of the economic declineof the Palestinian economy”

The Barrier

Total Length:725 km

Constructed

57% (415 km)

UnderConstructio

n9% (62 km)

Planned34% (248

km)

Within the West Bank

86%

Green Line

WEST BANK

Areas A and B(Oslo Accords)

161 Israeli settlements,96 outposts and land cultivated by Israelis

Israeli military closed areas and 48 military bases

Nature Reserves

West Bank Barrier and Areas between the Barrier and the Green Line

Restricted Roads

Closures

The effect of the closures and restricted roads

Fragmentation of the West Bank

CheckpointsTunnels(As of September 2008)

Miles

0 10

5

B’tselem & Bimkom:

“One of the major considerations in the planning of many

segments of the wall, was Israel's wish to include areas

designated for new settlements and for the expansion of

existing ones on the "Israeli" side of the wall. This contradicts

Israel's claim that the wall's route was based purely on

security reasons”

55

ACTIVATELAYERS

Habla Tunnel

Road 55

Jayyus’ Land

Water wells

Green Line

West Bank BarrierConstructedPlanned

PalestinianBuilt-up

IsraeliSettlements

Barrier Gates

Human Dignity-Protection

- Settlements expansion- Home demolition:

- Forced Eviction - and Displacement

- Ensuring Freedom of Movement and Access of

people and goods, - Addressing the

confiscation of resources (land and Water),

- Stopping settler violence - and Blockade of Gaza…

Palestinians will NOT need Humanitarian

Aid and will be able to develop!

Source of information- UNOCHA : United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs- World Bank- B’tselem - The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories - Bimkom - Planners for Planning Rights