- Violation: blocking the eastern and northern entrances to Salfit city .
- Location: Salfit city.
- Date of violation: 30/04/2022.
- The perpetrator: the Israeli occupation army.
- Affected party: the people of the area.
The violation details:
In the early morning hours of Saturday 30/4/2022 the Israeli occupation army blocked the main entrances leading to the city of Salfit with earth mounds.
According to LRC’s field researcher, the roads that were closed are as follows:
- The eastern entrance: it connects the city of Salfit with the villages of Iskaka and Yasuf and, then, up to Nablus city . This road is considered a main artery serving the Palestinian communities in the area, and it is mainly used by citizens, especially employees and humanitarian cases heading to and from the city of Salfit.
Picture 1: The eastern entrance, which was closed with earth mounds
- The northern entrance: It connects the city of Salfit with most of the villages and towns in the the governorate of Salfit, in addition to the governorates of Qalqilya and Tulkarm.
It is noteworthy that what the occupation has done falls within the so-called collective punishment against the defenseless civilian population, as these two entrances are considered the main arteries of Salfit city especially, with the approach of Eid al-Fitr, when it will be difficult for people to shop, visit and spend good time in Eid.
The northern entrance to the city of Salfit was previously closed by the occupation on the eve of the Al-Aqsa Intifada in 2000 AD, and it remained closed until 2013 AD, when it was reopened. This same entrance was closed from the beginning of the Al-Aqsa Intifada in 2000 until 2013.
Picture 2: The north entrance, which was closed with earth mounds
Legal comment:
The aforementioned Israeli measure is a clear violation of the following international and humanitarian laws and conventions on the freedom of movement:
1- Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) Article 13 which states:
- Everyone has the freedom to move and choose his place of residence within the borders of each country.
- Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to it.
2- International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (1965) Article (5) Paragraph (d):
- The right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of the state.
- The right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
Prepared by
The Land Research Center
LRC
