The Israeli Occupation authorities impose a group of challenges, most importantly limiting and restricting Palestinians’ freedom of movement. Although freedom of movement is one of the fundamental rights guaranteed by the international conventions on human rights, Israel imposes restrictions on freedom of movement within the West Bank on one hand, and between the West Bank and Gaza Strip on the other. Israeli restrictions link Palestinians ability to move to factors related to the type of ID they carry and the political division of geographical areas. Such makes it difficult to move freely, especially in the midst of electoral processes, which require quick movement, whether of the CEC’s employees or staff, candidates, journalists, or local and international observation bodies.
On the other hand, the Apartheid Separation Wall that the Israeli authorities erected, isolated and besieged the Palestinian territory, plaguing it with destructive economic and social impacts. Furthermore, the Wall has hindered transportation between and within several Palestinian areas. In the context of the electoral process, the Wall constitutes a major obstacle against completing the electoral process in some of the areas, especially during voters’ registration, the education and awareness-raising campaign, and the polling process.
Additionally, the Israeli authorities have arrested candidates, as it was the case in the 2021 Local Elections, where several candidates, including heads of electoral lists were arrested, in an attempt to disrupt the flow of the electoral process. Such has been condemned by the CEC considering it a blatant interference in the flow of elections and a violation of liberties and democratic practice. Moreover, the CEC demanded international human rights organizations to intervene in the release of arrested candidates and putting an end to such practices, which are considered a serious intervening in the Palestinian internal affairs.
During the 2005-2006 General Elections, the Israeli Occupation authorities closed the voters’ registration centers and obstructed the work of CEC’s staff, even arrested some of them, and imposed a curfew in some areas, especially in the city of Jerusalem.