Israel Imposes New Restrictions on Freedom of Movement Between Territories, State

Severe restrictions on freedom of movement of Arabs between the occupied territories and Israel proper went into effect today. The restrictions are intended to reduce vehicular traffic drastically and thereby reduce the chances of explosives and other sabotage materiel being smuggled into Israel in trucks, buses or cars from the West Bank, Explosives that killed 12 persons in the Machane Yehuda market blast in Jerusalem last month were believed to have been smuggled in by truck.

Beginning today checkpoints were established on all entry points to Israel from the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and the issuance of personal and vehicular passes was drastically curtailed. Traffic from East Jerusalem to the western sector of the city also must stand inspection. Private cars and taxis travelling between the West Bank and East Jerusalem are banned from passing through West Jerusalem although buses are permitted to use West Jerusalem streets under the new regulations. The same ban applies to private vehicles passing through Jerusalem between points in the occupied territories.

All vehicles must have special permits in addition to their occupants’ travel permits. The latter, which were previously issued almost without restriction and rarely inspected, will be issued now on a very limited basis. Permanent passes will be issued only to “trusted dignitaries” – clergymen and some Arab officials – and to specified drivers of vehicles carrying citrus to loading ports in Israel or other produce. Arabs entering Israel for business purposes will be issued passes good for only one day and will be required to adhere strictly to the route of travel to their destination specified in their permits. No travel permits are likely to be issued for purposes other than business, according to a military government spokesman, unless the traveller uses a public bus.

The travel curbs between the West Bank and Israel followed new restrictions last week on vehicular traffic across the Allenby and Damiya Bridges which link the West Bank with Jordan. Trucks carrying goods are required to unload their cargoes for inspection. The goods must be transported by porters on foot to the opposite bank for reloading. The restriction has already brought the hitherto brisk trade between the West Bank and Jordan to a virtual standstill. Private vehicles are not permitted on the bridges and their occupants must cross on foot. The new measures are also expected to reduce the number of Arab laborers from the occupied territories seeking employment in Israel. Job-seekers must apply for work at any of the six labor exchanges which Israel opened on the West Bank. Those selected will be issued travel permits by the military governor.

Israeli officials held out the hope that the restrictions will be temporary. They are, according to observers, as much a psychological measure as a precaution against sabotage. They are intended to show the Arabs that life can be made uncomfortable for all if terrorism is allowed to continue. The Israelis believe that Arab marauders could not operate effectively without the tacit cooperation of the local population, but they are reluctant to impose collective punishment on the residents of the occupied territories.