Amir Dawood, Director General of Publishing and Documentation at the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission, stated that the Israeli occupation has intensified its oppressive policies in the West Bank, particularly as efforts to halt aggression in Gaza continue. He highlighted two key aspects of this oppression: the imposition of a comprehensive closure system and the empowerment of settler militias against Palestinian communities.
Dawood explained that the occupation tightens its control over Palestinians by closing roads, while simultaneously facilitating settlers' movements to carry out their attacks. This creates a “functional exchange” between settlers and the military, particularly concerning actions on Palestinian land.
Since the start of 2025, the occupation has set up 18 new checkpoints, adding to the hundreds established since 1967. With a total of 898 checkpoints now in place, Dawood emphasized that these measures aim to further restrict Palestinian movement and confine them to cantons and enclaves, creating a new geographic reality of separation and surveillance.
The checkpoints, varying from dirt barriers to electronic gates with surveillance cameras and automatic weapons, are part of a broader system of control. The occupation has heavily invested in this infrastructure to not only restrict movement but also control every aspect of Palestinian life.
Dawood also noted that these closures coincide with frequent settler attacks on Palestinian areas and vehicles. These assaults are no longer isolated incidents but part of a broader colonial context, particularly as settler leaders rise to influential positions within the Israeli government. He mentioned a recent incident where soldiers mistakenly fired at settlers, indicating that settler violence occurs under the army’s watch without intervention unless Palestinians are suspected.
The closure system, according to Dawood, may be part of a broader strategy of annexation. The occupation seeks to impose conditions that make life unbearable for Palestinians, aiming to encourage voluntary emigration. This includes hindering access to essential services, such as preventing patients from reaching hospitals and students from attending universities.
Dawood concluded that the increasing number of checkpoints and road closures is creating a dire situation for Palestinians, making life in the West Bank increasingly unlivable. These measures reflect a long-term strategy of control, displacement, and dispossession, further entrenching the occupation's colonial objectives.
