Israeli occupation authorities, on Thursday, opened an ‘Apartheid Road’ in Jerusalem, which separates Palestinian drivers from Israeli settlers with a wall that extends up to 8 meters high.
The street, which is 3.5 kilometers long and numbered “4370”, connects the settlement of Giv’at Binyamin (Adam settlement), to the Tel Aviv – Jerusalem road, located between the junction of the French Hill and the tunnel leading to Mount Masharaf.
The western side of the street was opened two weeks ago, overriding Palestinian citizens’ movement, and will prevent them from entering Jerusalem, according to the PNN.
A report published in Haaretz Israeli daily revealed that the opening of the street has been delayed because of differences between the Israeli army and police about who takes over the new checkpoint that was established because of this street, with the responsibility ultimately being turned over to the “border police”.
According to the plan, the barrier will prevent Palestinian residents of the West Bank from entering Jerusalem. As a result, Palestinian drivers will travel on the “Palestinian” side of the road, around Jerusalem from the east, without being allowed to enter.
The report pointed out that it is expected that the majority of users of the “apartheid road” will be residents of settlements established on land north of Jerusalem.
Israeli Communications Minister Yisrael Katz said the talks were an important step to link the “Benjamin” settlers to Jerusalem, and to strengthen what he called “Jerusalem Metropolis.”
Katz claimed that the road is “a model of the possibility of creating a shared life between Israelis and Palestinians, by maintaining existing security challenges.”
