to cease running services from Jenin to Al-Lajjun and Haifa in 1987 due to
increased Israeli restrictions.315
•
Appropriation and control of pre-existing road facilities: The main
road through Wadi ‘Ara, Route 65, was used as a key route providing a
connection between the Israeli-Jewish coastal city of Hadera and the
Galilee.316 As this strategic route was blocked by Palestinians several
times, particularly during the Second Intifada, 317 Israel now asserts heavy
control over this road.
•
Checkpoints imposed during and after the Second Intifada have severely
hampered travel between Palestinian towns and villages in the West
Bank and Umm al-Fahm, particularly for those who possess West Bank
IDs. While all Palestinians from inside the Green Line can travel into
the West Bank from the two checkpoints immediately east of Umm alFahm (Barta’a and Tura), travel is prohibited in the other direction except
for those with Israeli citizenship along with a limited number of local
villagers. Anyone with a West Bank ID is required to travel through Jalama
checkpoint, directly north of Jenin, adding significantly to travel time.
Both psychological and mental efforts are needed to try to apply the law
and to not violate it in any way. For example, I am Palestinian and my son
is considered an Israeli because he holds an Israeli citizenship. If we want
to travel to Ramallah, both of us can use the Barta’a checkpoint or Jalama
checkpoint to enter. We cannot, however, return home together from either
of these checkpoints because they are only for Israeli entry. We are instead
required to go to Jabara checkpoint, just so we can be together.
West Bank ID holder married to a Palestinian from Umm al-Fahm
Interview: Umm al-Fahm, 7 November 2019
The above practices of fragmentation are evident in various systematic forms
throughout Mandatory Palestine, and Umm al-Fahm constitutes a noticeable
case in point. Importantly, Umm al-Fahm’s geographical proximity, strong
historical ties to the West Bank and persistent national consciousness have
further prompted Israel to exert additional pressure on the city itself by not
only imposing policies of fragmentation, but also those of isolation.
315 Jabbarin, supra 281.
316 “A bypass road to Hadera opens to traffic” [Hebrew], Davar, 24 November 1970, available at:
http://jpress.org.il/olive/apa/nli_heb/?href=DAV%2F1970%2F11%2F24&page=5&entityId=Ar00516
- panel=document [accessed 28 February 2020].
317 “The Or Inquiry – Summary of Events," Haaretz, 19 November 2001, available at: https://www.
haaretz.com/1.5124218 [accessed 28 February 2020].
80
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents