IDF Spokesperson March 5th, 2009

Additional Relief for the Palestinian Population in Judea and Samaria

A checkpoint in the Tulkarm area was removed yesterday as part of the
ongoing relief plan implemented in the Judea and Samaria region.

The removal of the checkpoint is expected to significantly improve the
freedom of movement and routine life of the Palestinian population in the
Tulkarm region. The removal of the checkpoint will also allow free movement
between the area and the Northern Samaria region. The free movement of goods
is expected to significantly strengthen the economy in the area.

Another relief implemented recently regards the "Kiosk" crossing, located
north east of Bethlehem, which is a crossing allowing pedestrian and vehicle
passage between the Bethlehem area and the area of Abu Dis. The crossing
has been operating in its current form since February 23rd, significantly
improving the movement in the city area and the Palestinian day-to-day life
in the area. "Kiosk" crossing has been under renovation for the past few
months, during which three lanes were added to the crossing in addition to
the two existing lanes. The central lane is used as a humanitarian route for
the passage of emergency, security forces, and governmental vehicles serving
the Palestinian population. As a part of the economy strengthening effort,
over 400,000 tourists visited the city of Bethlehem
during the first median of 2008, as opposed to 210,000 tourists during the
first median of 2007.

Over 100 IDF checkpoints were removed in the past months in Judea, Samaria
and the Jordan Valley. In addition, several major crossings were opened for
free passage, improving the free movement of the Palestinian population.

The removal of the checkpoints and road blocks was decided upon following
security assessments in the Central Command and as part of the relief plan
authorized by the Minister of Defense and the IDF Chief of the General
Staff, which has been implemented in recent months.