On June 10, 2008, ACRI submitted a petition to the Supreme Court challenging the prohibition on Palestinians from entering the beaches on the northern Dead Sea, their only entry point to the popular vacation spot. The petition highlights the fact that the checkpoint was established following complaints by Israelis managing beaches in the area, who claim that a “mix” of patrons at their beaches hurts their businesses.
ACRI learned about the entry restriction after two reserve soldiers questioned the legality of their brigade commander’s decision to set up the checkpoint, especially given that it was established to serve Israelis’ economic interests. The commander responded that there would be no problem finding a post facto security justification for establishing the checkpoint if the need arose. In addition, though the IDF pledged to remove the checkpoint in response to foreign pressure, it remains in place.
The restriction is in force on weekends and holidays, and ACRI fears that with summer vacation fast approaching, the IDF will permanently restrict Palestinians from accessing those beaches on a daily basis.
ACRI’s petition challenges the Military Commander’s exploitation of security arguments to serve extraneous interests, and highlights the IDF’s widespread policies of discrimination which prohibit and restrict a person’s freedom of movement solely on the basis of his or her national origin. Furthermore, the petition challenges the unlawful expropriation of the only strip of beach accessible to the Palestinian population of the West Bank for the exclusive use of Israelis and for the economic benefit of Israeli settlements established in occupied territory.
