Assessment of Mobility Conditions Using Geographic Information System in the West Bank Territory: The Case of Bethlehem – Ramallah Route

Abstract

This research paper analyses and assesses the impacts of the Israeli imposed physical obstructions on the mobility of the Palestinians in the West Bank, using a case study focused on the Bethlehem – Ramallah route. Arguably, the prevailing Israeli imposed physical obstructions, or mobility restrictions, in the West Bank territory have negative implications on the articulation of sustainable Palestinian statehood. The adopted research methodology in this paper is built through deliberations on available data sources in the form of literature reviews, published reports, field work investigations, and mapping interpretations using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The findings shows that the route that Palestinians are forced to take to commute between Bethlehem and Ramallah is double in terms of time and length in comparison with the route that would be possible to take if there were no mobility restrictions. Furthermore, if all checkpoints would be closed, or if the Israeli Plan of E1 will be implemented no travel at all would be possible and the Northern parts of the West Bank would be completely cut-off from the Southern parts. (Less)