United NationsOffice for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
August 2007
OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORYOCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
Fragmentation of the West BankFragmentation of the West Bank
The West Bank is increasingly fragmented:
Israeli settlements are prevalent throughout the West Bank. They are illegal under international law
Roads primarily for settler use connect the settlements with Israel
Palestinian access to the majority of these roads is prevented or restricted by:
• Checkpoints• Roadblocks• A permit system for vehicles wanting to travel on them
The roads serve as corridors for settlers but barriers for Palestinian movement.
Together with the settlements and other Israeli infrastructure, the West Bank is fragmented into a multitude of small enclaves for Palestinians
Many of these enclaves are connected to adjacent towns only via checkpoints or tunnels built under settler roads.
The Government of Israel insists these restrictions on movement are necessary to protect its citizens.
Restrictions on Palestinian movement is the principle cause of the economic decline of the Palestinian economy according to World Bank.
Fragmentation of the West Bank
Areas A and B(Oslo Accords)
149 Israeli settlements,96 outposts
Israeli military closed areas and 27 military bases
Nature Reserves
West Bank Barrier and Areas between the Barrier and the Green Line
Roads used by the settlers
Closures
The effect of the closures
Fragmentation of the West Bank
PermanentCheckpoints
PartialCheckpoints
Tunnels(As of March 2007)
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Note:Green Line (1949 Armistice)
Note:Interim agreement of 1994 Oslo process
Areas A and B (40% of area) under Palestinian authority
Area C under Israeli authority
Note:Israeli Settlements growing at 5.5% a year
Illegal under international law
Note:Nature reserves mostly off-limits to Palestinian entry
No grazing or development
Note:Permits are required to access areas behind Barrier
Permit difficult to obtain (except Gush Etzion)
Note:Roads primarily for Settler use
Palestinian access banned or restricted on majority of roads
Note:Roadblocks and checkpoints physically prevent Palestinian vehicles accessing settler roads
Note:Roads, settlements, other infrastructure fragment West Bank
Note:Checkpoints straddle settler roads Palestinian movement from one enclave to another via checkpoints or tunnelsunder settler roads
Note:Areas A and B (Palestinian control) mirror fragmentation.
Note:Israeli military bases-off-limits for Palestinians
Note:Effect is a series of corridors for settler traffic, but obstacles for Palestinian movement
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Humanitarian Response
Issue of the settlements key to any viable future- expanding 5.5% year
Settlements are at the centre of movement and access restrictions
Oslo Map – only areas A and B are able to be developed by Palestinians
Virtually no permits for building are allocated for Palestinians in Area C.
Demolitions for buildings without permits have increased.
Growing disparity between the political rhetoric and the facts on the ground
Key Points
For more information seewww.ochaopt.org