Annual Report - Palestinian Center for Human Rights

The report also indicated that 213 kilometers of the Wall had been constructed,
from the northwestern border of the West Bank to “Alkanah” settlement in the
center, in addition to two sections in Jerusalem. Construction was taking place
between “Alkanah” settlement and Jerusalem, around “Ariel” settlement, inside
and around East Jerusalem, and from “Gush Etzion” settlement block to
“Mitzoday Yihuda” settlement at the southern border of the West Bank. IOF had
also completed the construction of the northern section of the Wall, which
extends from Jenin to the northeastern Jordan Valley at the northern border of the
West Bank. Although IOF have not started to construct the section of the Wall
along the western border of the Jordan River, this section is included in Israeli
plans for the construction of the Wall. Once the construction of all sections of the
Wall has been completed, over half the area of the West Bank will be annexed to
Israel.
With the transformation of Qalandya checkpoint, south of Ramallah, into a
“border” crossing at the end of 2005, IOF have effectively divided the West Bank
into three isolated parts: the north, the center and the south. IOF are also
currently establishing another “border” crossing at Za’tara intersection, south of
Nablus. This crossing is expected to be operated at the beginning of 2006. The
establishment of these crossings, while the Wall is being constructed, falls under
Israeli plans seeking to isolate Palestinian communities, annex large area of the
West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and undermine any possibility to establish
a viable Palestinian state.
Contrary to claims by the Israeli government that it will allow Palestinian farmers
to reach their agricultural land located behind the Wall, and allow Palestinians
living in communities isolated by the Wall to have access to hospitals, work
places and educational institutions in Palestinian towns, IOF have continued to
impose severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinians. Palestinian farmers
whose agricultural land is located behind the Wall are obliged by IOF to obtain
special permits to reach their land under strict conditions. IOF often abstain from
issuing such permits, especially at times of total closure on the OPT, and close
gates accessing land behind the Wall.
Several villages have been isolated behind the Wall. One of these villages is
‘Azzoun ‘Atma village, which clearly illustrates the suffering of Palestinian
civilians who find themselves on the Israeli side of the Wall. Residents of the
village move towards Palestinian areas at the other side of the Wall through iron
gates established in the Wall, which are controlled by IOF. These gates are
opened for limited hours only each day. In 2005, IOF prevented medical crews
on several occasions from entering ‘Azzoun ‘Atma village. They also prevented
at least 100 students from the neighboring Beit Ameen village from reaching their
school in ‘Azzoun ‘Atma village.
Another example of the suffering resulting from the Wall is Jebara village, south
of Tulkarm, which has been isolated behind the Wall. On 11 June 2005, Ahmed
Mas’oud Marzouq ‘Othman, 56, from Jebara village died due to the obstruction
of his evacuation to the hospital by the IOF. He suffered from a heart attack.
The village is located to the west of the Wall and movement to and from it is only
permitted through an iron gate established in the Wall.
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