Ultranationalist Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called on Thursday for the establishment of permanent checkpoints on roads in the occupied West Bank, making a provocative statement that “the right of colonists to live takes precedence over the freedom of movement of Palestinians.”

Ben-Gvir’s comments, made in a post on social media platform X, are part of his ongoing demand for more control over Palestinian mobility in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank).

His statement further illustrates Israel's continued efforts to prioritize the safety and expansion of Israeli settlers over the basic human rights and freedom of Palestinians.

This call for increased checkpoints and restrictions comes amid a long history of Palestinian resistance to Israeli occupation, and has been widely condemned by Palestinian advocates and international human rights organizations as a violation of Palestinian freedom and sovereignty.

Ben-Gvir's position further deepens the divide between those seeking peace and justice for Palestine and those reinforcing the ongoing occupation. (ILKHA)