40 new Israeli occupation roadblocks constructed in the West Bank despite repeated promises to reduce their number

Tuesday September 25, 2007 12:13 by Nisreen Qumsieh - IMEMC News nisreen at imemc dot org

A U.N. Investigation has found that the Israeli administration has established approximately 40 new roadblocks in the West Bank in spite of previous promises to reduce their number.

During his meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice this week, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak promised to lighten the Israeli restrictions imposed on Palestinians, included the removal of 24 roadblocks and other additional lightening of movement restrictions.

Despite such guarantees, the number of the roadblocks has increased to 572, compared to 376 roadblocks in August 2005. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the increase in number represents a percentage increase of 52%.

In the southern region of the West Bank, specifically in the Hebron area, while Israeli authorities removed a small barrier along Road 317, 48 new roadblocks were established.

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