Israel to open King Hussein Crossing for five full days a week in rare reprieve for Palestinians

Israel began operating the King Hussein Crossing between the occupied West Bank and Jordan at all hours five days a week from Sunday, following months of pressure on the Israeli government from the Biden administration. 

The news will bring some respite to Palestinians, who are barred from using Israel's Ben Gurion airport and must therefore travel to Amman before they fly internationally. 

The closure of the crossing has long been used by Israel as a punitive measure against Palestinians.

Israeli authorities often arbitrarily change the hours the crossing is open, which was most evident during the Second Intifada of the early 2000s, when Palestinians rose up against the Israeli occupation. 

US ambassador to Israel Tom Nides lauded the move, tweeting: "Big news! As of today, the Allenby Bridge is now officially open 24/5. We kept @POTUS's promise. This is a win for Palestinians and Israelis alike!"

Big news! As of today, the Allenby Bridge is now officially open 24/5. We kept @POTUS's promise. This is a win for Palestinians and Israelis alike! Special thanks to @Tzachi_Hanegbi, Major General Aliyan @COGATonline, and IAA Chairman Jerry Gershon for making this happen. pic.twitter.com/iK4Yp0lufc

— Ambassador Tom Nides (@USAmbIsrael) April 2, 2023

US administrations have sought for years to push Israel to expand operations at the King Hussein Crossing to help reduce waiting times at the border.

The crossing had earlier only been open from 8am to 11:30pm on weekdays and 8am to 3:30pm on weekends.

The US government had initially announced in September last year that Israel would operate the crossing at all hours after securing Israeli approval ahead of US President Joe Biden’s trip to Israel in July. Israeli authorities however delayed the start of the operations for several months. 

"This move is long due," said Ibrahim Husseini, The New Arab’s correspondent in East Jerusalem.

"Crossing into neighbouring Jordan is the only way Palestinians in the occupied West Bank can travel to the outside world. So extending the operating hours of the bridge to cross into Jordan is welcome news and relief to millions of Palestinians." 

"Palestinians had to endure narrow operating hours and crowded conditions for decades to travel to Jordan and beyond."

The opening comes as a rare piece of good news in a year where Israeli forces have intensified brutal violence against the Palestinians. Since Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right coalition came to power at the end of last year, nearly a hundred Palestinians have been killed in daily raids in the occupied West Bank. 

Extremist members of the cabinet, such as National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, have urged the government to officially annex illegally Israeli settlements in the occupied territories.

Ben Gvir recently received approval for the creation of a "National Guard" under his command.