Palestinian Rock Climbers Face Access Restrictions Due to Israeli Settlements and Military Closures
Rock climbing has grown in popularity in the occupied West Bank, with a Palestinian climbing association established in 2019 and admitted to the international federation in 2024. Palestinian climbers report losing access to several climbing sites due to Israeli settlement expansion and military closures, with some areas now exclusively accessible to Israeli climbers. The restrictions exemplify broader obstacles Palestinians face in accessing land and resources in the occupied territory.
Rock climbing has experienced significant growth in the occupied West Bank in recent years, culminating in the establishment of a Palestinian climbing association in 2019 that gained international federation membership in 2024. However, Palestinian climbers report facing substantial obstacles to accessing climbing sites, primarily driven by Israeli settlement expansion and military actions. According to climber Faris Abu Gosh from the Kalandia refugee camp, several previously accessible crags have been closed to Palestinians, including Yabrud—his favorite site—which became inaccessible after a settler outpost was established and Israeli soldiers subsequently declared it a military closed zone. Another site, Ein Yabrud, has been developed exclusively for Israeli climbers by the Israeli Climbing Association. While some climbing areas like Ein Fara remain open to Palestinian climbers, access requires navigation through checkpoints and barriers that characterize movement in the West Bank.
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- France 24Center
Occupied West Bank: Palestinian rock climbing hindered by Israeli settlements
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