Israeli Closure of West Bank Continues During Passover, Restricting Palestinian Movement
Israeli occupation forces announced a full closure of the West Bank, effective from Thursday, April 2, 2026, at 5 PM, and scheduled to last until Saturday, April 11, 2026, at midnight. This measure prohibits Palestinians from entering Israel, with the stated exception of humanitarian and medical cases requiring special permits. The New Arab reported this as a standard security protocol during
Jewish holidays. Mainstream outlets, like The New Arab, frame these closures primarily as 'security measures' linked to Israeli holidays. This framing largely omits the significant economic impact on millions of Palestinians. What is often ignored is that such blanket restrictions, justified by unspecified security concerns, dismantle the already fragile Palestinian economy by severing access to
jobs in Israel, which are a critical source of income for tens of thousands of families. This continuous economic strangulation, repeatedly imposed during religious holidays, constitutes a collective punishment that extends far beyond immediate security considerations. These closures are not isolated incidents but part of a long-standing policy of economic control. For instance, the World Bank
estimated in 2015 that Israeli restrictions on movement, access, and trade cost the Palestinian economy billions annually. Specifically, the blocking of Area C, which comprises over 60% of the West Bank, from Palestinian development was identified as costing the economy over $3.4 billion per year. The repeated closures during holidays, such as the one implemented from April 2 to April 11, 2026,