An August 6, 2007 article in the Jerusalem Post reports on Ground to a Halt: Denial of Palestinians’ Freedom of Movement in the West Bank—issued by B’Tselem on Israeli check-points and security arrangements on West Bank roads.

"According to the report, since movement restrictions on Palestinians were first imposed following the outbreak of the second intifada in September, 2000, they have come to serve extraneous purposes such as to control and channel Palestinian movement in order to separate them from Israelis. The restriction of movement allows Israelis to move uninterruptedly…"

"On Monday, the Justice Ministry’s Department for International Agreements and International Litigation issued a response to the B’Tselem report, challenging its basic assumption that the road restrictions were being used for illegal purposes. ‘This far-reaching assertion is absolutely baseless,’ wrote attorney Hila Tene. "Regretfully, the terrorist threat which has cost the lives of more than 1,000 Israeli citizens makes it imperative, in certain circumstances, to restrict movement in such areas. This need stems from the fact that Palestinian terrorism operates from within the Palestinian civilian population and under its cover, thereby grossly and severely violating international law.’ Tene wrote that as a result of the checkpoints and roadblocks, thousands of terrorist activists were arrested at the different barriers erected in Judea and Samaria, some of whom were potential suicide bombers, senior officials in terrorist organizations or collaborators. Tene added that the absolute majority of West Bank roads were open to the Palestinians without the need for a special permit. There were only a few roads closed to Palestinians and only when there was a ‘clear security need for it.’"  To read full article, click here

For the full-text of the Ministry of Justice’s response (currently Hebrew only) please click here.