IsraelTravel West Bank Checkpoints to Close on 27 October for Israeli Election
The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem says all West Bank checkpoints will be shut on 27 October 2026 for the Israeli election, halting regular entry into Israel and into settlements. Settlements are also closed to Palestinian workers on 25 and 26 October.
Checkpoints across the entire West Bank will be closed on 27 October 2026 in connection with the Israeli election, the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem said in a security alert dated 25 October 2026. The embassy warned that this means there will be no regular entry into Israel or into settlements in the West Bank on that day.
In a separate measure, all settlements in the West Bank are closed to Palestinian workers on 25 and 26 October 2026, with the exception of industrial zones and a limited number of other approved areas.
Key facts
- 25–26 October 2026: all West Bank settlements closed to Palestinian workers, except industrial zones and a limited number of other approved areas.
- 27 October 2026: checkpoints closed across the entire West Bank region for the Israeli election.
- On 27 October there will be no regular entry into Israel or into West Bank settlements.
- The measures were announced by the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem on 25 October 2026.
What is closing and when?
On 25 and 26 October 2026, West Bank settlements are closed to Palestinian workers. The only exceptions named by the embassy are industrial zones and a limited number of other approved areas; no further detail on those areas is given.
Then on 27 October 2026, checkpoints will be closed across the entire West Bank region. The embassy states this means there will be no regular entry into Israel or into settlements in the West Bank on that date.
Why is this happening?
The embassy links the checkpoint closures of 27 October to the Israeli election. It does not give a reason in the alert for the settlement closures on 25 and 26 October.
What should travellers do?
The embassy says the alert is issued so that travellers can make their own security plans. It advises people to check its website for the latest Security Alerts, be aware of their surroundings, and learn the location of the nearest bomb shelter or other hardened shelter. It also recommends downloading the Home Front Command Red Alert application.
U.S. citizens needing assistance can call +1-202-501-4444 from abroad or +1-888-407-4747 from the United States and Canada. The U.S. Department of State keeps Israel at Travel Advisory Level 3, Reconsider Travel, due to terrorism and unrest, with some areas carrying increased risk.
The embassy said more information will be shared if there are any significant changes to the policy. No details were given on how long the closures will remain in place after 27 October 2026.