On February 22, 2024, a shooting attack took place on Route 1, during which one person was murdered and others were wounded. That evening, it was reported that, at the request of the police, the Central Command signed an order closing the section of the road between Ma'ale Adumim and the a-Za'ayem checkpoint in the morning for 14 days, after which the situation will be assessed regarding the need to extend it. As a result of the road closure, along with other roadblocks, there has been a complete separation between the southern and northern West Bank.
On February 26, 2024, we sent legal correspondence (Hebrew) to the head of the Central Command with a request to cancel the order closing the road to Palestinian traffic. Attorney Roni Pelli of ACRI argued that the decision to close the road was made abruptly, without considering its implications and consequences, and the severe harm to the residents of the villages of a-Za'ayem and 'Anata, which are located near the road, and to the residents of the entire West Bank. Pelli argued that imposing sweeping restrictions on movement without examining their security implications or their impact on the lives of Palestinian residents, is a decision made in violation of the law and military procedures – it violates the obligation to base a decision on systematic examination; It is unreasonable; disproportionate; and constitutes prohibited collective punishment.