Tulkarem, Qalqilya, and Tulkarem, Qalqilya,Â
The cities of Tulkarem and Qalqilya lie in the northern West Bank, not far from the Green Line, the armistice line established after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War that demarcates the boundary between Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. Both cities have faced significant challenges since the 1967 Israeli occupation of the West Bank, but their proximity to the Green Line has made them particularly vulnerable to the changing realities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
This blog post explores the role of Tulkarem and Qalqilya in Palestinian life, their historical significance, and the impact of the Green Line on the lives of their residents.
The Green Line: What Is It?
The Green Line refers to the armistice line established after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, when the newly created state of Israel was at war with surrounding Arab nations. It marked the boundary between Israel and the West Bank (which was under Jordanian control at the time) and the Gaza Strip (under Egyptian control). While the Green Line was never a permanent border, it remained the de facto line dividing Israeli territory from Palestinian areas until the 1967 Six-Day War.
In 1967, Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem, effectively pushing the Green Line into irrelevance in terms of official territorial boundaries. However, it remains a symbol of division between Israel and Palestine and a point of contention in peace talks.
Tulkarem: A City of Transition
Tulkarem is one of the larger cities in the northern West Bank, situated just west of the Green Line. Historically, it was known for its agriculture and was an important hub in the Ottoman Empire, with its economy relying heavily on olive cultivation, citrus farming, and the textile industry. However, over the past few decades, the city has become emblematic of the challenges facing Palestinian cities near the Green Line.
After the 1967 occupation, Tulkarem, like many other cities, was caught in a cycle of restrictions and displacement. As a result of the Israeli military occupation, many of the surrounding agricultural lands were either confiscated or came under Israeli settler control. The Separation Barrier, which Israel began constructing in 2002, further impacted the city’s economy and daily life by separating Palestinians from their agricultural lands and limiting freedom of movement.
For Tulkarem’s residents, the proximity to the Green Line has meant:
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Restricted access to Israel for work and trade.
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Increased military presence and checkpoints.
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A complex relationship with nearby Israeli settlements, whose expansion often disrupts Palestinian livelihoods.
Despite these challenges, Tulkarem has remained a center of Palestinian resistance, with residents actively participating in protests, strikes, and community-building efforts aimed at counteracting the effects of occupation.
Qalqilya: A City Surrounded by the Wall
Qalqilya, located to the northwest of Tulkarem, is perhaps one of the most symbolic cities when discussing the effects of the Green Line and the Separation Barrier. The city sits just a few kilometers from the line, and, as a result, its residents have faced some of the most severe consequences of Israel’s territorial policies.
Once an important commercial and agricultural city, Qalqilya now faces a unique set of challenges due to the construction of the Israeli Separation Wall. The wall, built to separate Israel from the Palestinian territories, has severely impacted Qalqilya by surrounding it on three sides. In fact, the city is now the only one in the West Bank that is almost entirely encircled by the wall.
The wall’s construction has led to:
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Economic devastation as agricultural land was confiscated, and access to Israeli markets has been severely restricted.
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A severing of family connections, as many Palestinians find themselves on the wrong side of the wall from relatives or property.
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Increased military presence, with Israeli soldiers patrolling the area surrounding the city.
For the residents of Qalqilya, the Green Line and the Separation Wall are not just geographical markers—they are daily barriers that restrict their freedom of movement, disrupt their livelihoods, and create a physical and psychological divide between them and the rest of the Palestinian population.
Life on the Border: The Divided Reality
The Green Line is not just a political line—it is an embodiment of division. For the people of Tulkarem and Qalqilya, living near the Green Line has meant:
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Segregation from their land, families, and neighboring areas.
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Restricted mobility due to checkpoints and the Separation Wall.
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Increased economic hardship, as many businesses and farms are cut off from access to larger markets and resources.
In both cities, Palestinians face daily disruptions to their lives. Whether it’s the difficulty of crossing from one side of the city to another, the impact of the wall on their farmland, or the sense of being trapped between the realities of occupation and the desire for peace, life in these cities is shaped by their proximity to the Green Line.
Tulkarem and Qalqilya in the Palestinian Struggle
Both Tulkarem and Qalqilya are symbolic of Palestine’s broader struggle for justice, sovereignty, and peace. These cities exemplify how geography and politics intertwine to shape the lives of ordinary Palestinians. The reality of the Green Line’s effect on these cities is a constant reminder of the divisions created by Israel's occupation and the policies that continue to affect Palestinian lives on a day-to-day basis.
The people of Tulkarem and Qalqilya continue to resist this division in various ways:
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Community activism: Residents regularly protest the wall and the restrictions on their movement, advocating for the right to return to their lands and homes.
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Agricultural resilience: Despite restrictions, farmers continue to tend to their lands, using creative means to maintain their livelihoods and to keep their connection to the land alive.
However, the ongoing expansion of Israeli settlements and the growing presence of the Separation Barrier continue to present serious challenges to the dream of a unified Palestinian state.
The Future of Tulkarem, Qalqilya, and the Green Line
The future of Tulkarem and Qalqilya is deeply tied to the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. For these cities, and others along the Green Line, the prospect of a two-state solution could offer the possibility of overcoming the divisions created by the Green Line. Freedom of movement, the ability to reconnect with land, and the ability to live without military checkpoints or walls are essential to a peaceful future.
Until then, these cities continue to exist in a liminal space—caught between the desire for a peaceful solution and the reality of occupation.
Conclusion: Divided but Resilient
Tulkarem and Qalqilya stand as testaments to the resilience of the Palestinian people, whose lives have been shaped by the presence of the Green Line. These cities are not just places on a map—they are living representations of the ongoing struggle for justice, freedom, and peace. As long as the division persists, the dream of unity remains just that—a dream. But the people of Tulkarem and Qalqilya continue to hold onto that dream, resisting the barriers imposed upon them and hoping for a future where borders no longer divide them from their rights, their lands, and their future.
Let me know if you'd like to explore related topics such as the history of the Green Line, Palestinian resistance movements in the northern West Bank, or the impact of the Separation Wall on other cities.
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