Route 4370
Route 4370 is a highway that connects the West Bank (Geva Binyamin Region) and Jerusalem.
Access control lanes
Separate lanes carry those who have a permit to enter Jerusalem and those who do not. The western lane is designed for people without a Jerusalem permit. It does not pass through the Hizme check-point. The eastern lane is designed for those with a permit. All citizens of Israel (Jewish and Palestinian) can pass freely, while West Bank Palestinians need a permit from Israeli authorities. The two lanes are separated by an 8-meter tall concrete wall, topped with metal fencing. The road allows the some 72,000 residents of the Binyamins Region to enter Jerusalem with easier access to French Hill and Mount Scopus.[1]
History
Construction of the road began in 2005 and ended in 2017.[2] Before its 9 January 2019[2] opening it was renovated by Moriah, the infrastructure company of the municipality of Jerusalem.[3] The road was opened by Minister of Public Security Gilad Erdan; the head of the Binyamin Regional Council, Yisrael Gantz; and the Mayor of Jerusalem, Moshe Lion. While the West Bank hosts several highways with different lanes for Israelis and Palestinians, Route 4370 is the only one with a concrete wall spanning its length.[3]
Erdan said the highway was "an example of the ability to create coexistence between Israelis and Palestinian while guarding (against) the existing security challenges," while the Palestinian Authority called Route 4370 an Apartheid Road and condemned the silence of the international community over its construction.[4]
References
- ^ Ian Lee. "A wall runs through it: New road divides Israelis and Palestinians". CNN. Retrieved 2019-01-23.
- ^ a b "New highway separates Israelis, Palestinians". Detroit News. Retrieved 2019-01-24.
- ^ a b Gantz, David A. (2009-01-08). "Regional Trade Agreements". Oxford Handbooks Online. doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199231928.013.0010.
- ^ "Israel opens segregated West Bank highway near Jerusalem". Ynetnews. 2019-10-01. Retrieved 2019-01-24.