IDF lifts some roadblocks, scales back ops for Id al-Adha

Decision made by Barak following security consultations; hours extended that some crossings in West Bank will be open.

By YAAKOV KATZ
checkpoint 311 (photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
checkpoint 311
(photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
The IDF is lifting two dozen dirt roadblocks throughout the West Bank this week as a goodwill gesture to the Palestinians for the Muslim holiday of Id al-Adha.
The decision was made by Defense Minister Ehud Barak following security consultations he held last week with OC Central Command Maj.- Gen. Avi Mizrachi and the new head of the Civil Administration in the West Bank, Brig.-Gen. Moti Elmoz.
Israel has lifted over 200 dirt roadblocks throughout the West Bank and 27 manned checkpoints since 2008.
In addition to the lifting of the roadblocks, Barak decided to extend the hours that some of the crossings in the West Bank will be open this week.
The IDF this week is also scaling back its operations inside West Bank cities and will allow Palestinian security forces to broaden the scope of their operations.
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Tuesday wished Israel’s Druse and Muslim citizens a happy holiday.
“We are celebrating this important holiday at a time when we are trying to resume the negotiations for peace with our Palestinian neighbors and to advance peace agreements with the other Arab countries,” Netanyahu wrote in his holiday letter.
“We are committed to the historic effort to bring about a genuine peace, coexistence, security and prosperity for all. Your support in this effort is very important and I appreciate it very much.”