Lawsuit against the occupation authorities protesting the reduction of operating hours at Allenby Bridge

Mr. Nassar Nassar, Secretary of the Coordinating Council of Private Sector Institutions and Chairman of the General Union of Palestinian Industries, announced the initiation of formal legal proceedings against the occupation authorities. The lawsuit, filed on February 12, 2026, before the Central Court, included both the Airports Authority and the Civil Administration, in protest of the policies adopted in sharply and continuously reducing the operating hours of Allenby Bridge.

Nassar affirmed in his statements that this legal action stems from the necessity of protecting the fundamental rights of Palestinians, emphasizing that the issue goes beyond routine administrative disputes. He clarified that the main goal is to restore the dignity and freedom of movement for millions of travelers who suffer daily, in addition to mitigating the serious negative repercussions that have affected the structure of the national economy and the movement of exports.

Allenby Bridge is considered the only international land crossing available to West Bank residents to access the outside world via Jordan, in the absence of any other effective alternatives. More than three million Palestinian citizens rely on this vital facility, in addition to hundreds of thousands of Jerusalemites who face severe difficulties in movement and travel due to the imposed restrictive measures.

Nassar pointed out that the past two years have witnessed a significant and unjustified decline in operating hours, causing severe daily overcrowding at the entrances and exits. This reality has forced travelers to spend the night in difficult humanitarian conditions, in addition to citizens incurring additional financial and psychological burdens due to endless long queues.

The Palestinian official described the current situation at the crossing as no longer merely a transient seasonal circumstance, but has transformed into a permanent state that violates the internationally and locally guaranteed right to movement. He affirmed that the continuation of these restrictions constitutes a direct infringement on signed agreements, and turns travelers' lives into a journey of daily suffering that requires urgent legal intervention to stop it.

Nassar revealed previous attempts to communicate with the relevant authorities to demand a clear timetable for extending operating hours and operating the crossing at its full capacity. However, the Israeli responses were characterized by generality and evasion of practical commitments, citing security and operational considerations and a shortage of human resources, justifications that the Palestinian side rejected outright.

The lawsuit's legal basis relies on the responsibility of the Airports Authority as a public body obligated to manage crossings efficiently to provide adequate service to the public. The legal documents also refer to the obligations contained in the interim agreements of 1995, which set minimum operating hours for the crossing that far exceed what is currently in practice.

Nassar stressed that excuses related to budgets or operational shortages cannot be accepted as a permanent justification for infringing on the rights of millions of citizens to movement and travel. He considered that maintaining the smooth flow of movement is a legal and moral duty incumbent upon the authorities managing the crossing, and cannot be linked to narrow financial considerations at the expense of human dignity.

The effects of the restrictions were not limited to the movement of individuals, but also extended to the commercial crossing, where Palestinian exports destined for dozens of countries around the world were harmed. Nassar warned that the continuation of this situation threatens the growth of national industry and weakens the efficiency of supply chains, leading to enormous economic losses for the Palestinian private sector.

In conclusion of his statements, Nassar demanded the court to issue an order obliging the occupation authorities to extend operating hours to 24 hours a day, or at least return to the previous minimum limits. He affirmed the determination of Palestinian institutions to continue both legal and international tracks to ensure the achievement of these demands before the upcoming summer season, thereby ensuring the flow of goods and the freedom of travelers.

This lawsuit is not part of an administrative dispute, but rather concerns a fundamental right that affects the dignity and freedom of movement of millions of travelers annually and its repercussions on the national economy.