Statement from the Minister of Information and Official Spokesperson of the Palestinian Government, Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi
Ramallah, 23-03-07: The vicious and ruthless beating of 19-year-old Mohammad Jabali by Israeli military forces at Huwwara checkpoint near Nablus yesterday, caught on camera and shown on a number of television stations today, is just one example, and not necessarily the worst, of what is happening in the West Bank on a daily basis.
Thousands of Palestinian civilians are subjected to such daily abuse and humiliation at Israel‘s 528 permanent checkpoints and 455 ‘flying‘ checkpoints throughout the West Bank. These military checkpoints are instruments meant to obstruct daily life, economic activity, and access to education and health services within the West Bank. At least 61 women have been forced to give birth at checkpoints blocking their access to hospitals, and at least 20 mothers and 36 newborns have died as a result. Checkpoints have also hampered the ability of 80 percent of people to leave their districts of residence over the past six years, and virtually no access has been granted for Palestinians wanting to travel between the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and to East Jerusalem.
Contrary to Israeli claims, the number of these checkpoints has not been reduced in recent months and they continue to take their toll on the lives of ordinary Palestinians. While Israel claims that they are ‘security‘ measures, the vast majority lie within the West Bank, separating Palestinians from Palestinians and not Palestinians from Israelis.
The Ministry of Information urges the international community to exert pressure on Israel to end these daily humiliations and restrictions on freedom of movement which are in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, and which are the result of an almost 40-year-old occupation which has become the longest in modern history.