5. Applied Research institute-Jerusalem. Impact of the Israeli Closure on Solid Waste Disposal Bethlehem as Case Study. Bethlehem: Arij, 2001: 4p.

This paper investigates the effects of the current closure and curfews that have been imposed on Palestinian cities, towns and villages since the outbreak of this Intifada (September 28, 2000) on Health and environment. Throughout the difficult period of the siege, the Israeli army has restricted the mobility of the Palestinians within and between the Palestinian territories. This has been done by imposing checkpoints, roadblocks or digging deep ditches at the entrance of each city or town, so that nobody is able to exit or enter a location different from where they are. On June 2, 2001 the Israeli government, decided to impose the intensive siege yet and re-enforce a complete closure and blockade on all cities and villages of the West Bank and Gaze Strip. Bethlehem was one the Palestinian communities that had been affected by the siege. This collective punishment has had an all-embracing effect in Bethlehem City where even minor roads are completely closed. One of the effects of the closure of these roads is the prevention of Bethlehem’s solid waste from being delivered to the proper disposal sites. It is particularly difficult to reach the dumping sites because they are located in areas B and C.