Increasing Violations of Palestinians' Rights in the West Bank Under Cover of War
- ACRI
- Mar 8
- 2 min read
Since the beginning of the war with Iran, sweeping and draconian movement restrictions have been imposed on Palestinians (and only Palestinians) in the West Bank, which include checkpoint closures, road blockages, and the installation of new gates deepening the isolation of towns and communities. The army is also not providing residents with even minimal protection--whether from the war or from attacks by settlers. As part of raids and “demonstrating presence” operations across the West Bank, the army has also taken over private homes, while evacuating the residents or confining them to a single room, without any clear military necessity.
On March 8, 2026, ACRI sent an appeal to the Commander of the Central Command, the Chief of Staff, the Minister of Defense, and the Legal Advisor for the West Bank, in which Attorneys Reut Shaer and Hila Sharon demanded that the army halt these policies that have been implemented under cover of war with Iran.
The army’s conduct is a grave violation of the fundamental rights of Palestinian residents to life, security, freedom of movement, property, due process, and equality. It cuts communities off from food, medical care, employment, and education; exposes isolated residents to violence; delays the arrival of ambulances and emergency services; harms livelihoods and food security; facilitates the closure of villages and cities without due process and without any real possibility to challenge the decisions; and deepens the discrimination faced by the Palestinian population while in nearby settlements daily life continues uninterrupted. This conduct raises serious concerns of violations of international law, including the prohibition on collective punishment, discrimination on the basis of nationality or group affiliation, and the duty to protect residents of occupied territory and their rights.
The appeal demands the immediate removal of the comprehensive movement restrictions; protection for Palestinian residents from settler attacks; that Israeli “protective presence” activists be allowed access; and a freeze on the policy of evacuating residential homes, or at the very least limiting it to situations of absolute military necessity.
In its response, the army rejected our claims and argued that all measures were taken for security reasons and that the restrictions were eased after several days.
ACRI's appeal, March 8, 2026 (Heb)
The army’s response, March 12, 2026 (Heb)
