"THE NEWS"

• Chicago Tribune AP Interview: Blair says West Bank life must improve at faster pace, asks Israel to ease bans,
  Washington Post Blair to AP: West Bank downward spiral halted,
  both article-versions by Karin Laub, Associated Press (5 September 2008) - describes details of how growth is still slow largely because of Israeli restrictions, especially on freedom of movement - "... the World Bank said in a report in April that the Palestinian economy won't grow this year, largely due to Israeli movement restrictions.".
• Washington Post:
  Israel hindering Palestinian aid effort: officials, by Francois Murphy, Reuters (8 July 2008) - This article describes how the checkpoints and border closures interfere with international aid including aid packages directly negotiated with and agreed to by Israel.
• Haaretz Daily News: Stepping out - into danger, by Nadav Shragai (21 May 2008).
  This article describes the politicization of hiking by settlers in the West Bank from the settlements into the surrounding hills and wilderness, where the hikers see themselves as stretching out the reach of Israel, while facing attack from Palestinians.

• Washington Times: "Mideast peace prospects" (21 April 2008)
  This article emphasizes the importance of stopping settlement expansion and freeing up movement and commerce amongst Palestinian communities as major factors supporting the peace process.

"ONLINE REPORTS"

• B'Tselem - Restrictions on Movement (May 2008).
• IRINnews - "ISRAEL-OPT: UN facing increased delays at Israeli checkpoints" (30 April 2008) (news service of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs)
• IRINnews - "ISRAEL-OPT: Movement restrictions limiting benefits of aid impact - World Bank" (28 April 2008) (news service of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs)
• B'Tselem - Ground to a Halt: Denial of Palestinians' Freedom of Movement in the West Bank (August 2007).
• Amnesty International - The fight to build a West Bank village school: Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories - Enduring occupation. Palestinians under siege in the West Bank (4 June 2007) - The stringent restrictions on movement imposed on more than two million Palestinians who live in the West Bank are unlawful as they are disproportionate, discriminatory and violate the right to freedom of movement. The restrictions are imposed on all Palestinians because they are Palestinians and in order to benefit the Israeli settlers whose presence violates international law.
• Adalah - SPECIAL REPORT: Movement Restrictions on Sheikh Ra'ed Salah - Ban on Foreign Travel.

"OFFLINE REFERENCE MATERIALS"