A/HRC/31/44 area of Beit Jala, near Bethlehem. Preparation for construction began on 17 August 2015. 30 That section of the wall will cut the town off from 3,000 dunams of agricultural land belonging to 58 Palestinian families, which provides the community with an indispensable source of income.31 27. While Israeli authorities have committed to the construction of agricultural gates to facilitate farmers’ access to their lands, access is expected to be limited. 32 Of the 85 agricultural gates built to facilitate Palestinians’ access to agricultural land in the “seam zone”, only nine are open daily. 33 As a result, many farmers have been forced to give up farming their land or have switched to lower-yielding and less-labour-intensive crops. 28. According to the military orders governing the West Bank, Israeli citizens require an Israel Defense Forces permit to enter Area A — the Palestinian urban centres under full Palestinian Authority control, covering 18 per cent of the West Bank. Isolation of East Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank 29. During the reporting period, Israeli authorities continued to implement restrictions isolating East Jerusalem from the rest of the West Bank and restricting movement within East Jerusalem. Palestinians residing in East Jerusalem are required to hold Israeli-issued ID cards granting bearers the status of “permanent resident”. These ID cards can be revoked if the authorities determine that Jerusalem ceases to be the bearer’s “centre of life” (see A/68/502, para. 28). Hence, Palestinians in East Jerusalem who wish to travel abroad for long periods of time, whether for employment or other reasons, risk losing their residency. 30. Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza are required to obtain special permits to enter East Jerusalem and Israel, and can enter the city only through four established checkpoints.34 The isolation of East Jerusalem, traditionally an important centre for Palestinian economic, cultural and social activity, has a serious impact on surrounding communities. 31. On 14 October 2015, following a series of attacks and clashes, the Israeli authorities imposed further movement restrictions on residents of neighbourhoods in East Jerusalem. As at 26 October 2015, there were 38 new obstacles, including 16 checkpoints, 20 roadblocks and one earth mound blocking the entry into and exit from the main Palestinian residential areas, curtailing the access of approximately 138,000 residents to work, school and medical treatment.35 Some obstacles were being dismantled at the end of the reporting period.36 32. While the Government of Israel has a right to put in place necessary and proportionate security measures in response to specific security threats, systematically restricting the movement of thousands of Palestinians in the manner described above is prima facie disproportionate to the aim pursued. 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 Society of St. Yves, The Last Nail in Bethlehem’s Coffin: the Annexation Wall in Cremisan, August 2015. B’Tselem, “Barrier to separate Beit Jala residents from their lands, laying groundwork for annexing settlement”, 12 November 2015. Ibid. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, “The monthly humanitarian bulletin”, September 2015, p. 6. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, “The monthly humanitarian bulletin”, July 2015, p. 6. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, protection of civilians weekly report for 20-26 October 2015. Available from www.ochaopt.org/poc20october-26october-2015.aspx Ibid., weekly update, 17-23 November 2015. 7