Israeli assistance steps/humanitarian measures following Palestinian elections and Sharm el-Sheikh summit – Non-UN document

Israeli assistance steps and humanitarian measures towards the Palestinians: Following the Palestinian elections and the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit

A. Background 

Following the Palestinian elections (January 9, 2005) and the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit (February 8, 2005), Israel has taken a series of measures with the purpose of easing the everyday life of the Palestinian population. These measures are part of a policy aimed at utilizing the "window of opportunity" that was opened after the establishment of the new Palestinian government and renewed cooperation between the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Israel. Their implementation was possible due to the decrease in the number of terrorist attacks against Israelis and the improvement in cooperation between the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and the Palestinian security forces.

The main areas in which measures were taken:

– Transfer of cities to PA responsibility

– Initial prisoner release

– Opening crossing points between Israel and the West Bank and the Gaza Strip

– Increasing work permits in Israel for Palestinians

– Easing restrictions over the entrance of Palestinians into Israel

– Lifting roadblocks and easing movement within the West Bank and the Gaza Strip

These measures have been implemented in parallel to Israel's preparations for the implementation of the Disengagement Plan, which will result in the removal of Israeli settlements and military presence from the Gaza Strip and areas of the Northern West Bank.

In addition, Israel has decided to employ a new security system based on the concept of "minimal friction" between the Palestinian population and Israeli security forces. Israel is examining a new approach for managing the movement of people and goods from Palestinian controlled areas into Israel and vice-versa. To this end, Israel has started constructing new terminals that would enable smooth passage with minimal friction between civilians and security personnel.

B. The Disengagement Plan: a humanitarian perspective 

Israel's implementation of the Disengagement Plan carries with it the potential for improvement of the Palestinians' everyday lives. When he first outlined the Disengagement Plan (April 18, 2004) Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has stated that

…The relocation from the Gaza Strip and from Northern Samaria will reduce friction with the Palestinian population, and carries with it the potential for improvement in the Palestinian economy and living conditions.

Israel sees the Disengagement Plan as an opportunity for the Palestinians to rebuild their economic and social infrastructures and is willing to assist the PA in achieving these ends. Israel is also seeking the collaboration of the international community on these issues.

On May 3, 2005, Vice Premier Shimon Peres met with Quartet special envoy on disengagement, James Wolfensohn, along with the heads and members of the inter-ministerial teams for economic and civilian coordination of the disengagement. Peres emphasized that coordination of the disengagement between the Israelis and the Palestinians is important to facilitate the disengagement's success, as well as to leverage the economic potential embedded in the process. He also stressed the importance of focusing on projects that provide concrete, tangible economic benefits in Gaza in the short term, such as the issue of the crossing points. Peres noted that "preserving the residential structures in the Gaza settlements is in our mutual interest."

Israel offers the PA a concrete dialogue related to trade relations, economic development, transfer of assets, passages and access, as well as the Gaza seaport.

C. Transfer of security responsibility to the PA 

The transfer of security responsibility over certain areas to the Palestinian Authority is part of Israel's policy aimed at reducing the friction between Israeli security forces and the Palestinian population. Following the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit, Israel agreed to gradually hand over security control in the towns of Jericho, Tul Karm, Qalqilyah, Bethlehem and Ramallah, even before completing the implementation of the Disengagement Plan. Israel's view is that this process should be coordinated and implemented on a gradual basis, serving as a mutual confidence-building measure.

Accordingly, Israel has initiated a gradual process of transferring security responsibility for Palestinian cities to the Palestinian Authority, starting with Jericho (March 15, 2005) and Tulkarm (March 21, 2005). Consequently, all military checkpoints, closures and curfews in these areas were removed.

The success of the process depends on the commitment of the PA and the Palestinian security forces to implement their obligations to combat terrorism, to maintain public order and to promote security for both Palestinians and Israelis.

D. Minimal Friction: A new security system in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip 

As part of the preparations for implementing the Disengagement Plan and in the wake of the improving cooperation between the IDF and the Palestinian security forces, Israel has decided to adopt a new security system in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, based on the concept of "minimal friction" between the Palestinian population and Israeli security forces.

Accordingly, Israeli security forces will transfer the bulk of their monitoring and control efforts from checkpoints inside the West Bank and the Gaza Strip to crossing points along the revised route of the security fence. This will mean a sharp reduction in the number of roadblocks and barriers within the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, alongside the construction of new terminals and crossing points between Palestinian-controlled areas and Israel (see below, paragraph E).

The new system will enable enhanced freedom of movement for residents of the areas in which it becomes operational.

The new system will be introduced first in the Jenin area, where some roadblocks have already been removed. It is expected that the shift to the new system in that area will be completed by the end of the summer of 2005. The plan is to implement the new system in the entire West Bank gradually, starting from the north and going southwards.

E. Passage between Israel and Palestinian controlled areas: a new approach 

Israel is examining a new approach to managing the movement of people and goods from Palestinian controlled areas into Israel and vice-versa. The new approach is based on an "open concept", meaning that the interruption to the flow of people and goods caused by security considerations will be reduced to a minimum.

To this end, Israel has started constructing new terminals which will replace old crossing points between Israel and the Gaza Strip and between Israel and the West Bank. Unlike today, the new terminals will be run by civilian operators in order to reduce unnecessary friction between the military and civilians. Inside the terminal the use of sophisticated technology will reduce the inconvenience caused by long security checks. Thus, for example, passengers will get "smart cards", which will enable them to cross without any physical security check.

In the Gaza Strip, most interaction between Israelis and Palestinians is expected to take place within the two major terminals:

– Erez Terminal

– Karni Terminal (for the passage of goods)

Seven other terminals will be built in the West Bank and in the Jerusalem area:

– Bitunia Terminal

– Jalameh Terminal

– Kalandia Terminal

– Qalqilya Terminal

– Sha'ar Efrayim Terminal (Ma'ale Efrayim)

– Tarqumia Terminal

– Terminal 300 (near Bethlehem)

The cost of each new terminal is estimated at 120-170 million shekels (NIS). Altogether, Israel is expected to invest approximately 1.1-1.3 billion NIS in the project.

Full report (pdf* format – 234 KB)