IDF Central Command Ends Restrictions on Arab Workers Returning to West Bank Settlements

The IDF's Central Command, led by Major General Avi Blot, has decided to lift all restrictions on the entry of Arab workers into West Bank settlements, effective from tomorrow morning. This new directive removes the previous requirement for individual permits and special approvals, signaling a full return to normal operations without the prior security limitations. The decision implies that the military assesses the immediate threat level in the area as diminished.

The move has sparked significant anger and concern among settlers and local leaders in Judea and Samaria, who fear the security implications of allowing thousands of workers back without stringent oversight. Residents have criticized the decision as reckless and disconnected from recent terror attacks, emphasizing that the apparent calm is deceptive and that their families' safety should be paramount. One settler told C14 that the lack of supervision and permits amounts to negligence and that the community will bear the consequences if violence resumes.

The directive marks a major policy shift in the management of labor movement in the West Bank, reflecting a change in the security assessment by the IDF Central Command. The full resumption of worker entry aims to restore routine but has ignited a wave of local opposition due to fears of renewed threats.