IDF EASES ACCESS THROUGH THREE WEST BANK

UNCLAS JERUSALEM 000896 SENSITIVE SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE AND NEA/IPA, NSC FOR SHAPIRO/KUMAR, TREASURY FOR MOGER, JOINT STAFF FOR LTGEN SELVA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON PREL ETRD PHUM KWBG IS SUBJECT: IDF EASES ACCESS THROUGH THREE WEST BANK CHECKPOINTS ¶1. (SBU) Summary: On June 3, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) eased access through three West Bank checkpoints, two around Ramallah and one north of Nablus. ConGen officers verified on June 5 that some infrastructure has been removed at the two Ramallah-area checkpoints, one of which controls the main access route north of the city. In Nablus, a checkpoint with limited operating hours will now be open 24 hours/day. End summary. Freer Access through Atara CP Significant for Ramallah -------------- -------------- ¶2. (SBU) According to Palestinian Authority (PA) and other sources, the IDF began removing some infrastructure at two Ramallah-area checkpoints, Atara and Rimonim/At-Tayba, on June 3. Atara, which controls the main northern access route to Ramallah, is the more significant opening. Easing access through Atara facilitates movement between Ramallah and the Salfit area immediately to the north, and opens a direct route from northern Ramallah to the Nablus area via Route 60, the West Bank's main north-south artery. Contacts in the Ramallah business community call the opening important for facilitating passenger car movement between Ramallah and points north, though the road is not a major commercial route. A prominent Ramallah businesswoman told EconChief that property values north of the former checkpoint are already rising. ¶3. (SBU) EconOffs visited Atara on June 5 and observed that tall concrete barriers inhibiting traffic flow had been removed. Other infrastructure, including traffic lanes, guard booths, and a concrete observation tower, remain intact. Four IDF soldiers observed traffic at the checkpoint but did not stop any vehicles. Friday traffic was very light. Infrastructure Removed at Rimonim/At-Tayba Checkpoint -------------- -------------- ¶4. (SBU) EconOffs observed that concrete blocks and jersey barriers at Rimonim/At-Tayba checkpoint have been removed. A concrete observation tower and small IDF outpost near the checkpoint continue to be manned, but soldiers did not stop traffic during our observation. Rimonim lies at a junction midway between Ramallah and Jericho and controls movement between the two cities, as well as on a secondary north-south route (route 458) commonly used by commercial traffic. Rimonim was previously "opened" in March 2008, but shortly thereafter, the IDF placed concrete blocks and plastic jersey barriers on the road and regularly checked passing vehicles. ¶5. (SBU) Mayor David Khoury of nearby Taybeh village told Econoffs that he welcomed the freer access, but he cautioned that the IDF frequently sets up "flying checkpoints" in the area. The Mayor added that the IDF opened a road gate near Ofra settlement about ten days ago that reduced travel time to Ramallah, but emphasized that the key to facilitating local access to Ramallah is removing Beit El checkpoint in east Ramallah. North Nablus Checkpoint to Operate 24 Hours/Day -------------- -- ¶6. (SBU) The IDF announced on June 3 that Asira ash-Shamalia checkpoint, previously open from 0500-2300, will now operate around the clock. Asira ash-Shamalia controls one of the main northern roads out of Nablus. Extending the hours of operation will facilitate personal travel between Nablus and villages to the north. The winding, hilly road is not suitable for heavy commercial traffic. WALLES