Israel expands border crossing hours for Palestinians going to Jordan
Following up on a promise made to US President Joe Biden, Israel agreed to expand the operation hours of the Allenby Bridge crossing point into Jordan.
US Ambassador to Israel Tom Nides announced on Sunday that the West Bank Allenby Bridge crossing point into Jordan is now operational 24 hours a day, five days a week. The expanded opening hours of the crossing should ease the traveling of Palestinians heading into Jordan and beyond.
“Big news! As of today, the Allenby Bridge is now officially open 24/5. We kept President Joe Biden’s promise. This is a win for Palestinians and Israelis alike!” Nides wrote on Twitter. The American ambassador thanked Israel’s national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi, Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Maj. Gen. Ghasan Aliyan and Chairman of Israel’s Airports Authority Jerry Gershon for increasing the bridge's operation.
Biden and his administration have been pressuring Israel since the Democrat took office to adopt measures that should ease the living conditions of Palestinians, including travel.
The West Bank has no airport of its own, as Israel won’t allow it, and the majority of Palestinians are banned for security reasons from Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport. Thus, Palestinians wishing to travel abroad must usually travel first to Jordan, often waiting long hours at the Allenby Bridge. The expansion of operating hours of the Allenby crossing will facilitate travel during the holy month of Ramadan, when West Bank Palestinians wish to visit family members in Jordan and West Bank Palestinians studying in Jordanian universities come home.
