Palestinians Demand Expanded Hours at Allenby Crossing Amid Security Concerns
Next Tuesday, Israel's Supreme Court will hold a hearing on a petition filed by the Palestinian Sector Coordination Council against the Israel Airports Authority (IAA), demanding extended operating hours at the Allenby Crossing. The crossing has operated on reduced hours since October 7, 2023, amid heightened security concerns. Senior Palestinian business leaders, including the Secretary-General of the Trade Organization and presidents of the Aluminum and Metal Engineering Associations, seek to participate in the hearing. The court has delegated the Shin Bet to vet the list of attendees.
The petition, originally submitted in March 2026, requests that the Allenby Crossing operate 24 hours a day or at least from morning until evening, including Saturdays, as was customary before the "Sword of Iron" war. Currently, the crossing operates from 8:00 to 17:00 on weekdays and closes at 15:30 on Saturdays. Petitioners argue this reduction contradicts the Oslo Accords, which stipulate broader crossing hours to facilitate the movement of over three million Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem who cannot use Ben Gurion Airport.
The IAA acknowledges the importance of expanding crossing hours and is actively recruiting and training additional staff. However, it cites an "impossible" situation due to multiple rounds of fighting that have led to hundreds of employees and dozens of security personnel being called up for extended military reserve duty. Additionally, two deadly terrorist attacks at the crossing in September 2024 and September 2025 have resulted in tightened security protocols requiring more personnel and longer inspections, further straining resources.
Despite these challenges, the IAA states it strives to keep the crossing open without further reductions and has improved employment conditions for security staff willing to work at the border. The two attacks involved Jordanian truck drivers who killed Israeli workers and soldiers, prompting closures and fundamental changes to security and inspection procedures at the crossing.
