Facts and figures

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) as of July 2009, once completed, the total length of the new Wall route will be 709 km long. 408 km, which is approximately 58 percent of the Wall, has been completed. Only 15 percent of the total length runs along the Green Line.

To OCHA – the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

According to the Israeli government in its position submitted to the Israeli High Court of Justice on 25 August 2005, the whole route of the Wall will reach 703 km. As of October 2009, a final decision by the Israeli government has not yet been taken to construct the Wall in other sections – Ma’ale Adumim and Ari’el. If the Wall will be built in those areas the West Bank will be fragmented into 3 different parts, and would jeopardize the viability of a future Palestinian state.

Seam zone or "closed area"

Due to the construction of the Wall inside the Green Line, many Palestinians have found themselves caged between the Wall and the Green Line, in an area called "seam zone", "closed area" or "buffer zone". According to the Israeli seam zone authority, the "closed area" is intended to enable command and control through the usage of observation systems as well as the provision of space for pursuit of suspects.

To the Israeli seam zone authority

The Seam zone is home for over 60,000 Palestinians

The seam zone stretches over some of the most fertile lands in the West Bank. According to OCHA, it is, as of July 2008, the home of 60,500 West Bank Palestinians living in 42 villages and towns. 10.17 percent of the West Bank including East Jerusalem lands have been affected due to the Wall. This figure includes areas that have not yet been approved by the Israeli government such as the Wall around the settlements of Ma'ale Adumim and Ari'el.

"Green permits"

The Wall separates Palestinians that live in the “closed area” from the rest of the West Bank land and people. Family ties have been disturbed, farmers separated from their families, children from their schools and movement has become more difficult. Palestinians residing in the closed area face an uncertain future in terms of their personal and land status.

Since October 2003, the residents of the "closed area" as well as visitors and humanitarian staff, are required to obtain a special type of permit, usually referred to a "green permit". This allows them to move in and out of the "closed area" through specific gates in the Wall, which do not operate regularly and appropriately.

The Wall in Abu-Dis, Jerusalem area, June 2004.
Photo: Hanna Lagerlöf

Map of the East Jerusalem Wall To B'Tselems website and a map of the Wall in Jerusalem area from 2005 (1,5 MB)