Israel eases restrictions on West Bank for holiday

November 26, 2009

JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Israel has eased restrictions on Palestinians in the West Bank in honor of a Muslim holiday.

The easing of restrictions will take place during the four days of the Eid Al-Adha holiday, which begins Thursday. The decision to ease the restrictions in order to improve the quality of life of the Palestinians was made by Defense Minister Ehud Barak, according to a news release from the IDF spokesperson.

Some of the policies to be implemented during the holiday include: allowing Palestinians to enter Israel in order to visit immediate family, permanently removing more than 50 road blocks in the West Bank, and temporarily removing roadblocks near Hebron, Nablus, Jenin and Tulkarm.

In addition, the Israel Defense Forces will reduce its activity in central Palestinian cities, and the operational hours of the Palestinian Police in those cities will be expanded.

Also, married men age 45 and over, and women age 45 and over, will be allowed entry with special authorization into the Temple Mount for prayer, and men over 50 will be allowed entry without special authorization.

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