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New plan for W Bank checkpoints New plan for W Bank checkpoints
(about 16 hours later)
A group of former Israeli generals and senior Palestinian officials has put forward a plan for kick-starting the economy of the West Bank.A group of former Israeli generals and senior Palestinian officials has put forward a plan for kick-starting the economy of the West Bank.
The proposal involves, as a first step, dismantling 10 checkpoints, including some of the biggest in the West Bank.The proposal involves, as a first step, dismantling 10 checkpoints, including some of the biggest in the West Bank.
Its proponents argue it will have no negative impact in Israeli security while significantly improving Palestinian economic prospects.Its proponents argue it will have no negative impact in Israeli security while significantly improving Palestinian economic prospects.
There about 500 Israeli roadblocks or checkpoints in the West Bank. There are about 500 Israeli roadblocks or checkpoints in the West Bank.
These severely limit the movement of Palestinians and restrict economic activity.These severely limit the movement of Palestinians and restrict economic activity.
Israel insists that they are necessary to protect people in Israel and on the settlements from attack by militants.Israel insists that they are necessary to protect people in Israel and on the settlements from attack by militants.
For Palestinians, they are one of the most humiliating and restrictive aspects of the occupation.For Palestinians, they are one of the most humiliating and restrictive aspects of the occupation.
Danish sponsorshipDanish sponsorship
The plan for dismantling the roadblocks has been presented to the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority.The plan for dismantling the roadblocks has been presented to the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority.
The Palestinian officials involved are Nasir Tahboub - an advisor to the Palestinian prime minister, Samih al-Abed - a former minister of planning and Abdul Hafeez Nofal - a senior official in the trade ministry.The Palestinian officials involved are Nasir Tahboub - an advisor to the Palestinian prime minister, Samih al-Abed - a former minister of planning and Abdul Hafeez Nofal - a senior official in the trade ministry.
The Israeli advocates of the plan are Adi Ashkenazi - former Head of the Civil Administration Economics Department in the West Bank and Gaza, reserve Brig Gen Ilan Paz - former head of the Civil Administration in Beit El, and reserve Brig Gen Dov Tsdaka - also the former head of the Civil Administration in Beit El.The Israeli advocates of the plan are Adi Ashkenazi - former Head of the Civil Administration Economics Department in the West Bank and Gaza, reserve Brig Gen Ilan Paz - former head of the Civil Administration in Beit El, and reserve Brig Gen Dov Tsdaka - also the former head of the Civil Administration in Beit El.
BBC Jerusalem correspondent Paul Wood says much of the impact of this report will come from the fact that it is partly the work of two retired Israeli generals, both formerly in charge of administering the West Bank.BBC Jerusalem correspondent Paul Wood says much of the impact of this report will come from the fact that it is partly the work of two retired Israeli generals, both formerly in charge of administering the West Bank.
The report is the first in a series examining movement and access issues for Palestinians. These will be produced by an Israeli-Palestinian working group supported by the Peres Center for Peace and the Palestinian Center for Strategic Studies, and sponsored by the government of Denmark.The report is the first in a series examining movement and access issues for Palestinians. These will be produced by an Israeli-Palestinian working group supported by the Peres Center for Peace and the Palestinian Center for Strategic Studies, and sponsored by the government of Denmark.
'Damage and disruption''Damage and disruption'
Gen Paz said that the Israeli government had repeatedly said it wanted to rehabilitate the Palestinian economy and strengthen what it sees as moderate Palestinians.Gen Paz said that the Israeli government had repeatedly said it wanted to rehabilitate the Palestinian economy and strengthen what it sees as moderate Palestinians.
Given this, Gen Paz said: "It is our belief that now, more than ever before, it is in Israel's long-term security interest to thoroughly assess the efficiency of the checkpoints and roadblocks regime, in relation to the damage and disruption they cause."Given this, Gen Paz said: "It is our belief that now, more than ever before, it is in Israel's long-term security interest to thoroughly assess the efficiency of the checkpoints and roadblocks regime, in relation to the damage and disruption they cause."
"The group examined the checkpoints and roadblocks from an economic perspective, whilst also seriously addressing security considerations," Mr Tahboub said."The group examined the checkpoints and roadblocks from an economic perspective, whilst also seriously addressing security considerations," Mr Tahboub said.
"We found that major improvements could be made in the volume of West Bank trade through alternative solutions to Israel's security needs.""We found that major improvements could be made in the volume of West Bank trade through alternative solutions to Israel's security needs."
On Monday, the Israeli army did announce it was taking down checkpoint 804 near Nabulus.On Monday, the Israeli army did announce it was taking down checkpoint 804 near Nabulus.
Palestinian residents cheered as a yellow metal gate was swung open to allow cars to pass unimpeded for the first time in five years.Palestinian residents cheered as a yellow metal gate was swung open to allow cars to pass unimpeded for the first time in five years.
In March, the Israeli government announced the removal of 61 checkpoints or road blocks in the West Bank, but the United Nations said at the time that only 44 had actually been removed and these were of little or no significance.In March, the Israeli government announced the removal of 61 checkpoints or road blocks in the West Bank, but the United Nations said at the time that only 44 had actually been removed and these were of little or no significance.
With US President George Bush due to visit the region next month, Israel will come under pressure to ease conditions on the West Bank, our correspondent says.With US President George Bush due to visit the region next month, Israel will come under pressure to ease conditions on the West Bank, our correspondent says.
Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967, settling about 430,000 people in the territory among a Palestinian population of about 2.5 million.Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967, settling about 430,000 people in the territory among a Palestinian population of about 2.5 million.
The Palestinian Authority controls some of the areas heavily populated with Palestinians, but these are broken up in a complex patchwork by the checkpoints, security areas, settlements and roads reserved for the settlers.The Palestinian Authority controls some of the areas heavily populated with Palestinians, but these are broken up in a complex patchwork by the checkpoints, security areas, settlements and roads reserved for the settlers.