Ras Khamis Checkpoint in East Jerusalem Sealed Off

Ras Khamis Checkpoint, photo by Ronit Sela

The Ras Khamis Checkpoint‪,‬ used daily by Palestinian residents of Jerusalem living in the area cut off by the Separation Barrier‪,‬ was dismantled today (19 September 2012). ‬
 
The construction of a barrier in place of the checkpoint will be completed in the coming weeks, obligating residents to enter Jerusalem instead through the Shuafat Refugee Camp Crossing. The construction of the barrier six years ago in the north-eastern part of Jerusalem separated Ras Khamis, the Shuafat Refugee Camp, Dahiat A-Salam and Ras Shhade from the rest of the city. Since then, local residents, who are holders of Israeli ID cards, must pass checkpoints daily to access work, studies,‏ medical treatment, family visits, etc. The Ras Khamis Checkpoint was a pedestrians-only checkpoint, serving residents who live nearby, including schoolchildren on their way to school.
 
‏Following the announcement of the planned closure of the checkpoint‪ in early September,‬ ACRI sent an urgent plea to the Israeli security establishment and demanded that the checkpoint remain open and enable the freedom of movement of the residents. ACRI has been working in recent years to improve the dire situation suffered by residents in these neighborhoods since the construction of the barrier. Municipal services in the area have decreased dramatically, while the absence of law enforcement has led to a sharp increase in crime and violence.
 
‏The Ras Khamis neighborhood is one of several Palestinian neighborhoods located within the municipal boundaries of Jerusalem, but cut off from the rest of the city by the Separation Barrier. An estimated total of 90,000 Palestinians from across northern Jerusalem, holders of Israeli I.D cards, are cut off by the barrier, and forced to enter Jerusalem daily through several checkpoints.