Bani Naim from entering or exiting their hometown.156 Other villages near the
main road that crosses the district of Hebron were also closed down, yet Bani
Naim had the most intense security restrictions. Bani Naim remained under
closure until 11 August, at which time the Israeli forces lifted the closure and
partially eased security restrictions.
Additionally, by 2 July 2016, over 2,700 work permits of residents of Bani
Naim had been revoked. While about half of the work permits that had been
revoked were reinstated, as of 15 October 2016, 1,500 residents still had
theirs revoked.157 The closure had a significant impact on the town’s economy
that is known for its marble trade. The economic losses for its residents
were considerable as hundreds were unable to go to work due to the lack
of permits or because of the closure and restrictions. The most fundamental
rights of the around 20,000 residents of Bani Naim were severely restricted in
response to the actions of an individual, restrictions that amount to collective
punishment.
The Case of Hebron: Operation Brother’s Keeper (2014)
Following the disappearance of three Israeli settlers from the oPt on 12 June
2014, Israel engaged in large-scale searches, closures, and raids throughout
the West Bank under Operation Brother’s Keeper. One of the most affected
areas was the governorate of Hebron, which was put under closure. By 23
June 2014, three of the main entrances to the city of Hebron were completely
blocked to vehicular traffic, and the freedom of movement in the other three
routes was severely restricted by Israeli checkpoints.158 Moreover, access to
nearby localities in the Hebron area was also intermittently closed.159 The
closure gravely affected the access of Hebron area residents to services,
markets, and workplaces, which resulted in significant economic losses.
Additionally, it was implemented only against the Palestinian residents and
not the Jewish-Israeli settlers, illegally living there, who enjoyed freedom of
movement throughout the closure.160
156 Ma’an, Israeli forces seal hometown of Palestinian shot dead after stab attack in Hebron , op. cit., 1
July 2016
157 Al Jazeera, ‘Bad Palestinians’ under Israel’s collective punishment, 15 October 2016. Available at: http://
www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/09/palestinians-israel-collective-punishment-160929083644838.
html
158 OCHA oPt, Protection of civilians, Weekly report, 17-23 June 2014. Available at: https://www.ochaopt.
org/documents/ocha_opt_protection_of_civilians_weekly_report_2014_6_26_english.pdf
159 Ibid.
160 Wafa Palestinian News and Info Agency, Israeli Forces Maintain General Closure on
Hebron Detain Six Palestinians, 12 July 2016. Available at: http://english.wafa.ps/page.
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