Special to WorldTribune.com

TEL AVIV — The Israel Army has significantly reduced checkpoints in
the West Bank.

Officers said the Army dismantled numerous checkpoints in the West
Bank over the last four years. They said the army’s Central Command operates
no more than 12 checkpoints in the region.

Officers said the Army was able to reduce security checkpoints amid
a sharp drop in attacks in the West Bank. In 2012, for the first time since
1973, no Israelis were reported to have been killed in the West Bank.

In 2002, 452 Israeli civilians were killed in 47 Palestinian attacks,
many of them suicide bombings. Since October 2012, officers said, the number of checkpoints dropped from 40 to 12.

“They operate in time of need in light of security considerations,”
Central Command spokesman Capt. Barak Raz said.

In a statement, Raz sought to dispel Palestinian accusations that the
Army was restricting movement in the West Bank. The officer said the
checkpoints in the West Bank were operated during security alerts in an
effort to stop insurgency attacks.

Central Command has also operated 15 crossings between the West Bank and
Israel. The crossings have been designated for passage of people or goods.

“We can explain this relative calm in three ways: the reduction of
military presence during routine security tasks, an effective
counter-terrorism strategy, and a clear economic incentive for Palestinians
to maintain the calm,” Raz said. “By reducing the number of checkpoints, we
can provide much more freedom of movement, therefore improving the economic
conditions and ultimately strengthening the security situation.”

Central Command has been trained to establish checkpoints within minutes
in case of a search for attackers. Officers said the checkpoints were also
used to stop 475 weapons smuggling attempts in 2012.

“Although the situation is better than in the past, the ongoing presence
of these checkpoints remains necessary,” the military said.

  12 checkpoints in the West Bank region, Capt. Barak Raz, Central Command, Israel cuts back number of West Bank security checkpoints