Israeli checkpoints still in place

cctv.com 01-09-2005 12:17

Palestinian officials are urging Israel to ease travel restrictions in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, so more Palestinians are able to vote. As the first step, they say Israel should remove checkpoints so voters can arrive at polling stations on time.

Early Saturday, hundreds of cars were waiting in long line to get through this checkpoint in Gaza. This is a familiar scene in the region. It shows that Israel's promise to ease travel restrictions ahead of the elections hasn't changed the reality very much.

Palestinian Cabinet Minister Saeb Erekat said, "I left my hometown Jericho this morning, the southern road block is there, the northern road block is there. I came to Ramallah the same road blocks I call throughout the West Bank and Gaza and nothing changed in the road block. I really urge the Israeli government to honor its commitments to withdraw and to remove road blocks in order for us to have free and fair elections."

But Israel says it has a reason to be prudent when its security is threatened. Palestinian gunmen allegedly killed an Israeli soldier and wounded 3 others in an ambush near the West Bank city of Nablus on Friday. This incident has prompted Israeli authorities to ask international observers to deliver a warning to Palestinian officials, making clear that the easing of restrictions should never be exploited by militants. Israeli military officials have also said efforts are being made to speed up passage through checkpoints, but that security remains their top concern.

Editor:Hu Hang  Source:CCTV.com