Israel Defense Forces checkpoint

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An Israel Defense Forces checkpoint, usually called an Israeli checkpoint (Hebrew: מחסום, machsom), is a barrier erected by the Israel Defense Forces with the stated aim of enhancing the security of Israel and of preventing those who wish to do harm from entering the country.

Many Palestinians, especially residents of the West Bank, claim that despite the checkpoints' intended use, in practice they violate Palestinians' rights to transportation and other human rights. Indeed, Palestinian complaints of abuse and humiliation are common: Israel Defense Forces' Judge Advocate General, Maj. Gen. Dr. Menachem Finkelstein, states that "there were many - too many - complaints that soldiers manning checkpoints abuse and humiliate Palestinians and that the large number of complaints 'lit a red light' for him" [1].

IDF checkpoints are manned by the Israeli Military Police, who perform security checks on Palestinians, the Israel Border Police, and miscellaneous combat soldiers who ensure the safety of the checkpoints. Security checks were formerly done by the Israeli Armored Corps.

[edit] List of checkpoints

• Huwwara Checkpoint (Nablus)
• Kalandia Checkpoint (Ramallah)
• Checkpoint 300 (entry into Bethlehem) (Bethlehem-Jerusalem border)
• Jalame Crossing (Jenin)
• Barta'a Crossing

[edit] See also

• West Bank Closures