Bad Fences from Bad Neighbors

Map of some of the fences erected on the roads. Map courtesy of Dror Atkes, "Kerem Navot"

Wide swaths of major roads northern Jordan Valley have been illegally fenced off over the past few months. The fences were installed by local settlers, with the clear purpose of restricting the movement of the area’s Palestinian residents. As a result of the fencing, Palestinian communities are disconnected from grazing and agricultural fields, and are burdened with further restrictions on their freedom of movement. Following the installation of the fences, the settlers took control of the lands. Palestinian landowners watch them working the land, which they are prevented from reaching. 

Following individual appeals sent by ACRI regarding specific cases, we sent an appeal about the issue more broadly to the Commander of the Central Command, the Civil Administration, the Legal Advisor for Judea and Samaria, and the Commander of the Samaria and Judea Police on January 20, 2026. Beyond the clear violation of the property rights and livelihood rights of the Palestinian residents, Attorney Hila Sharon emphasized that the fences, which the army does nothing about, challenge the legal situation currently in place in the area, and is an open display of criminality. Sharon noted that international law obligates the army to ensure that the law is respected and that the rights of the occupied population remain protected. This includes protecting residents' private property and ensuring their ability to access it, protecting residents’ access to private agricultural lands, preventing trespassing on public land, and preventing the displacement of local residents.  

ACRI is demanding quick action to remove the illegal fences erected in the northern Jordan Valley, and to punish those responsible in a way that will deter others from repeating these crimes.  

ACRI’s appeal, January 20, 2026 (Heb) 

For a list of the appeals sent in response to specific cases, see here (Heb).