On Thursday morning, the roads leading to northwest Jerusalem turned into long lines of frustration and despair. At the Tunnel checkpoint the only passage linking the Palestinian towns of Biddu and al-Jib Israeli occupation forces imposed harsh restrictions, halting traffic, checking IDs, and searching vehicles.
What should have been a simple commute to school, work, or medical treatment became yet another reminder that for Palestinians living under occupation, even the right to movement is held hostage.
Daily Life Under Siege
Local sources reported that traffic congestion stretched for hours as soldiers slowed every car, interrogated drivers, and searched belongings. Families were stranded on the roadside, workers missed shifts, and children arrived late or not at all to their schools.
For the fourth consecutive day, nearby villages have also endured widespread raids and arrests. In Qatanna, al-Qubayba, and Biddu, Israeli forces stormed homes, detaining residents and interrogating them in the field. Shops were shuttered as movement became impossible.
The suffering has not spared the vulnerable. Patients with chronic illnesses reported difficulties reaching hospitals and clinics. For many, each checkpoint delay is not just an inconvenience, it is a life-threatening barrier.
The Bigger Picture
Checkpoints such as this are part of a broader Israeli system of control around Jerusalem, designed to fragment Palestinian communities and suffocate their economy. Beyond physical barriers, the checkpoints inflict psychological wounds, stripping people of dignity and turning daily life into an obstacle course.
Palestinians say these restrictions are less about “security” and more about collective punishment, a deliberate strategy to break the will of an occupied people.
Islamic Reflection
The Qur’an warns us against injustice:
“And do not incline toward those who do wrong, lest you be touched by the Fire, and you would not have other than Allah any protectors; then you would not be helped.” (Surah Hud 11:113)
For Palestinians in Jerusalem, every delay, every humiliation, every closed road is a reminder that oppression is not just tanks and bombs but also the quiet theft of daily life. Yet, their resilience is rooted in sabr (patience) and tawakkul (trust in Allah).
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or oppressed.” His companions asked how to help one who oppresses. He replied: “By stopping him from oppressing.” (Bukhari, Muslim).
This hadith is a call to the Ummah: our duty is not only to feel sorrow but to stand actively against injustice.
What We Must Do in the UK
As Muslims in Britain, our faith requires us to respond with both conviction and action:
- Boycott economically: Avoid products and companies that profit from occupation and oppression.
- Become media aware: Learn the truth behind the narratives, share it with others, and use your voice to challenge silence.
- Anchor activism in faith: Let your du‘a, sadaqah, and advocacy reflect our commitment to justice.
Conclusion
For Palestinians in and around Jerusalem, a short journey can feel like crossing an ocean. These checkpoints do not merely regulate movement; they choke livelihoods, fracture families, and erode dignity. Yet despite the suffocation, the people remain steadfast, reminding the Ummah that faith and resilience are their strongest weapons.
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- International media reports (Al Jazeera, Reuters, Associated Press, The Guardian, Anadolu Agency, Islam21c).
- Official statements from governments, the UN, humanitarian agencies, and NGOs.
- Policy analysis and research from academic and regional institutions.
