Dozens of Israelis from the town of Negohot in the Hevron Hills blocked roads Thursday in protest of terrorism. Residents of Negohot and other Hevron area Israeli towns say that Israel’s open roads policy puts their lives at risk.
Three years ago Israel began opening highways in Judea and Samaria (Shomron) to Arabs living under the Palestinian Authority. Previously, PA traffic had run along parallel PA roads, while access to Israeli roads was restricted due to terrorism fears.
Since then, residents say, the simple act of driving to school or work has been fraught with danger.
“We suffer from nails on the highway, they throw rocks and firebombs at our cars,” Negohot resident Asaf Fried told Arutz Sheva.
“We want the IDF to close the roads to Palestinians,” he declared.
Residents blocked the road to the nearby PA-controlled Arab town of Beit Awa. One person was arrested in the protest.