(Communicated by the IDF Spokesperson)
During the four days of the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha ("Festival of Sacrifice") starting Thursday, 26 November 2009, the restrictions for the Palestinian population in the Judea and Samaria region will be eased. This decision was made in accordance with the directives of Defense Minister Ehud Barak, and in light of security assessments by the IDF Central Command and the Civil Administration. The easing of restrictions is part of a general policy to improve the quality of life of the Palestinian population in the region.
The following policies will be implemented as of tomorrow (Thursday) morning, until Wednesday 2 December, 2009:
- Palestinians will be allowed to enter Israel in order to visit immediate family members.
- Israeli citizens will be able to enter the city of Tulkarem by car via checkpoint 407.
- Operating hours of the Awarta checkpoint, south of Nablus, will be extended to 22:00.
- A road block placed on the Jenin-Tulkarem road will be removed in order to enable faster passage between the two cities.
- A road block near the village of Dhahria will be removed, enabling quick transportation between the villages near the city of Hebron.
- More than 50 road blocks throughout the Judea and Samaria region will be permanently removed.
- Married men of age 45 and over, and women of age 45 and over, will be allowed entry with special authorization into the Temple Mount for prayer, and men over 50 will be allowed entry without special authorization. Married women of age 30-45 will be allowed entry to the Temple Mount with special authorization, and women over 45 will be allowed entry without special authorization.
Additionally, during the course of the holiday, the IDF will reduce its activity in the West Bank's central cities, and the operational hours of the Palestinian Police in the cities will be expanded.