Israel Agrees to Ease Access for Palestinians
Israel has agreed to “remove about 50 roadblocks in the West Bank and promised Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who is visiting,” that “it would upgrade its checkpoints to reduce the waiting time for Palestinians who have been hampered in their efforts to go about their daily lives.”
If Israel follows through on its promises, it will be easier for Palestinians to travel to and from work.
A few years ago, Israel promised to destroy the roadblocks as well. However, the Jewish nation-state kept a couple of dozen out of fear for Palestinian terrorists.
50 roadblocks certainly sounds like a lot, but the reality of the matter is that it’s less than 10% of the total amount: Israel has put up 580 checkpoints and roadblocks at Gaza crossings and in the West Bank.
Aside from destroying the roadblocks, Israel has also offered to “significantly” expand opportunities “for Palestinian workers and businessmen to travel to Israel from the West Bank.”
However, Israel isn’t – and rightfully so – willing to take risks: Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said that ‘Palestinian security forces in the West Bank must assume “greater responsibility”.’ Palestinian PM Salam Fayyad agreed.
‘Mark Regev, a spokesman for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, said Sunday that “Israel fully understands the need to work toward greater movement and access for Palestinians in the West Bank.” He added: “Any taking down of checkpoints is a risk. What we have proposed is a calculated risk” that balances the need to protect the Israeli public and to provide freer movement for Palestinians.’
But still, the US considers this a step forward and has decided to monitor the developments. “We haven’t been monitoring and verifying during the last two years,,” US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told reporters. “We want to be much more systematic about what is being promised and what is being done than we have been able to be in the past.”
Monitoring both sides, I assume.
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This would be a good move on Israel’s part, this would show they are willing to work towards something positive, Rather than taking the "You be nice first" tactic, It seems they are realizing that they werer wrong / heavy handed in their treatment of Palestinians in regards to the borders. Hopefully this is not an empty promise, and we will see more of a diplomatic Isreal versus a militant Israel (in regards to the Palestinians and the border).