Israel to close West Bank crossing to Jordan indefinitely
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The Allenby crossing is the main gateway for many Palestinians in the West Bank to travel abroad, and is used to transport commercial goods between Jordan and the West Bank.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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JERUSALEM/RAMALLAH – Israel will close the only crossing between the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Jordan indefinitely from Sept 24, days after reopening it following a shooting that killed two Israeli soldiers.
A spokesperson for the Israeli authority overseeing the Allenby crossing said that it would be closed from the morning of Sept 24 “at the direction of the political leadership”.
The statement did not provide any further reason for the closure.
The Palestinian and Jordanian authorities had said earlier on Sept 23 that Israel would close the border the following day.
The crossing serves as the main gateway for many Palestinians in the West Bank to travel abroad and is used to transport commercial goods between Jordan and the West Bank.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office did not respond to a request for comment during a public holiday in Israel. The military referred questions to the Prime Minister’s office.
The move comes after Mr Netanyahu said on Sept 21 the government would give its “response” to other countries recognising a Palestinian state once he returns from a visit to the United States.
France, Britain, Canada and Australia are among several countries who have or will recognise Palestine this week
Some of Mr Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition allies have said that the government should annex the West Bank in response.
Israel fully reopened the Allenby crossing on Sept 22, four days after a Jordanian truck driver shot dead two Israeli soldiers. The crossing was closed following the shooting.
Jordan's Public Security Directorate said on Sept 23 the crossing was closed to passenger and freight traffic from the Israeli side until further notice. REUTERS
