Petition against the Israeli Ministry of Defense to remove checkpoints in and around Jerusalem

On 11 November 2001, JCSER sent the following letter to Israeli Defense Minister, Benjamin Ben-Eleizer. The letter requests the removal of checkpoints in and around Jerusalem, specifically the ones in Beit Hanina, Ras Al Amud and Qalandia. The letter was written on behalf of residents of these neighborhoods.

Citizens of these areas approached JCSER to file a case against the military checkpoints. This letter was written on their behalf.

1. The military checkpoints were erected by the army forces a few months ago in these areas. These checkpoints are controlled by soldiers. They control the movement of people.

2. It will be difficult to explain in this letter the suffering and hardship Palestinians are going through as a result of these checkpoints, but we will try to explain the current situation.

3. First of all, these checkpoints have an enormous impact on the daily life of thousands of residents living in these areas and who have to pass these checkpoints everyday. The endless lines of vehicles and long hours of waiting create a lot of frustration and bitterness. Everyday, especially during the morning hours and the afternoon hours, we witness an endless line of vehicles that have to be checked by the Israeli soldiers.

4. The residents of Jabal Al-Mukabber, Sheikh Jarrah, As-Sawahreh, Beit Hanina, Ras Al-Amud, Samira Mis, Kufr Aqab, Qalandia, Atarout- Al-Matar and other neighborhoods are the most affected by the checkpoints (below they are referred to as citizens). These neighborhoods are located within the municipal boundaries of Jerusalem and thousands of people are living here.

5. Citizens of these areas have Jerusalem ID cards. Therefore, their legal status should be the same as other citizens living in the city of Jerusalem.

6. Passing through the checkpoints is no longer a right. It becomes a privilege given by the Israeli soldiers. Allowing citizens to pass through the checkpoints depends on the moods and whims of the Israeli soldiers. They are in charge of who can pass and who can not pass, when one can pass and how long one has to wait before one can pass.

7. Checkpoints have become for many Palestinians like a Via Dolorosa journey. There is no another word to describe the situation of citizens while passing through the checkpoints!!

Following are examples of their impact and basic rights violations:


• Students have to leave home earlier than normal in order to be able to reach their schools in time. Despite this, they are at least one hour late due to waiting long hours exceeding sometimes three hours on the checkpoints. This influences their right to education, which is given to every student all over the world. Apart from this, some students have to take several transportations in order to reach their schools. They take transportation to Qalandia where they have to cross the checkpoint on foot until they find other transportation. This process is exhausting and expensive.

• Workers have to leave home earlier than normal in order to be able to reach their workplaces in time. This influences their right to work and they face the risk of losing their job because of coming late or not being able to come at all.

• Shortage of food, drinks and medicines as suppliers have to think twice before going to these neighborhoods because of the procedures and long hours of waiting on the checkpoints.

• These checkpoints have enormous impact on people suffering from poor health conditions such as heart diseases, lung and kidney problems. Their right to free medical care is violated. They are forced to go to private doctors in the neighborhoods at their own expenses. Ambulances have to wait for the checkpoints as well. There are no special regulations or facilities that allow them to go through without having to wait to reach hospitals in Jerusalem.

• Citizens of different ages have to walk if you do not want to wait several hours at the checkpoints.

• The bad treatment of the Israeli soldiers at the checkpoints is another example of human rights violations.

8. An appropriate balance needs to be found for both sides’ interests, namely the need for and right to security for Israelis and the basic needs and rights of Palestinian residents. According to Israeli law, security measures should not violate basic rights. However, this is what is happening nowadays at the checkpoints on a large scale.

9. Palestinians living in these areas have Jerusalem ID Cards, pay taxes to the Israeli government as fall under Israeli law. Therefore, they should be treated like any other citizen in the state of Israel.

10. An Israeli army report, published in the Ha’aretz daily newspaper on 2 November 2001, revealed that the job of the Israeli soldiers on the checkpoints is harming the Palestinian population on a large scale. The report, which was signed by Itshaq Shoshani, head of the control unit in the army, noted that checkpoints do not prevent suicide bombers from entering Israel. ‘There are no instructions defining the goal of checkpoints. These checkpoints do not prevent ant-Israel parties from entering the green line.’ The report further mentioned: ‘There are no clear orders with regard to humanitarian issues on the checkpoints. There are no procedures to submit incidents taking place on the checkpoints to official parties. These incidents are not receiving proper remedy.’ It can be concluded that there is no justification to keep these checkpoints.

11. Israeli Defense Minister and Chief of Staff are directly responsible for these checkpoints. Israeli Defense Minister voiced concern about the Palestinian population and that he had no intention of harming the Palestinian population. However, he is responsible for these checkpoints and the continued suffering of the Palestinian population.

12. The time has come to do something and to end the daily suffering of the Palestinian population.

Looking forward to receive your reply.

Copies of this letter were sent to:

• Abraham Borg, Head of Israeli Knesset.

• Knesset Member Dr. Azmi Bishara.

• Knesset Members Mohammed Barakeh, Tamar Shochanscki, and Issam Mahkoul.

• Knesset Member Talab As-Sane’.

• Knesset Member Mohammed Tibi.

• Knesset Member and Head of the Legislation Committee.

• Knesset Member Yousi Friski from Shinu Movement.

• Knesset Members Na’oumi Hazzan, Zahava Gilon and Husaina Jibarah from Mieretz.

• Knesset Member Nahama Ronin.

• Israeli Interior Minister Ozi Lando.

• Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert.

• Member of the Jerusalem Municipality Council.

• Member of the Jerusalem Municipality Council Gil’ad Brinai.

• Mr. Nathem Bader.

• Citizens’ Rights Center.

• Hamoked- Center for the Defense of the Individual.

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