Israel Closes West Bank Crossings for Election Day

Israel has closed all crossings and military checkpoints in the West Bank, effective from Tuesday, 28th November 2023, 7:00 AM. The closure will last for the duration of the Knesset election day.

The decision was made by the Israeli military, which cited security concerns as the reason for the temporary shutdown. The closure affects all major crossings, including those used for the passage of people and goods between the West Bank and Israel, as well as those connecting the West Bank to Jordan.

The Palestinian Authority (PA) has condemned the closure, stating that it disrupts the daily lives of Palestinians and hinders essential services and commerce. The PA has called on the international community to intervene and pressure Israel to reopen the crossings.

Israeli authorities have stated that the closure is a temporary measure and that crossings will reopen once the election process is complete. They have also assured that emergency and humanitarian cases will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

This is not the first time that Israel has implemented such closures during election periods. Similar measures were taken during the previous Knesset elections in 2021 and 2019. These closures have historically led to disruptions in the movement of people and goods, as well as economic losses for Palestinian businesses.

International human rights organizations have also criticized the closure, arguing that it violates the rights of Palestinians to freedom of movement and access to essential services. They have called on Israel to adhere to international humanitarian law and respect the rights of Palestinians during this period.