Center for the Defence of the Individual - Following HaMoked's intervention: the military removed a double roadblock of earth and rocks, which blocked vehicle-access from Kafr Malik to Road 458
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חזרה לעמוד הקודם
09.06.2013

Following HaMoked's intervention: the military removed a double roadblock of earth and rocks, which blocked vehicle-access from Kafr Malik to Road 458

In 2008, the military erected a double earth and rock roadblock, closing the vehicle exit of Kafr Malik to Road 458. The obstruction blocked the Kafr-Malik inhabitants' direct access to their agricultural lands to the east of the road (in the area of Ein Samia), and forced them to travel by another route, four times longer: Instead of reaching their lands by crossing Road 458 on a 4 km. route, the inhabitants had to travel southwest to reach Road 449, turn east and continue to the junction with Road 458, then north to Ein Samia, altogether, a ride of some 16 km. Absurdly, the extended route forced the landowners into greater contact with the settler population in the area.

On March 21, HaMoked wrote to the Military Commander in the West Bank to demand the removal of the roadblock and the opening of Road 458 for regular vehicle-traffic from the village. HaMoked asserted that the obstruction infringed on the villagers' right to freedom of movement, accepted as a basic right in both Israeli and international law. HaMoked also questioned the legality of the process by which the order for erecting the roadblock had been issued, and requested copies of both the order and the notification presented to the villagers at the time.

More than two months later, without a substantive response from the Military Commander's office, HaMoked wrote to the HCJ Petitions Department in the State Attorney's Office, requesting its intervention. Lo and behold, three days later, HaMoked received the response of the Military Legal Advisor for the West Bank, notifying that "the security situation at the present time allows for the removal of the obstruction."

To date, access from Kafr Malik to Road 458 is open for traffic.