Israel’s plan to close West Bank over Succot begins to unravel

The original decision stoked complaints within the Israeli security establishment that it was principally “grandstanding” by ministers eager to burnish their right-wing credentials.

The 11-day closure, a demand of the police and Internal Security Minister Gilad Erdan, was initially opposed by the Israeli military and senior Defence Ministry officials who said that it would be an unnecessary punishment to tens of thousands of law-abiding Palestinian workers.

The IDF has largely allowed Palestinians to cross into Israel for work in recent years, believing it is a policy that provides a major source of income for the Palestinian economy and prevents violence from spreading to wider parts of society.

The Har Adar incident last week was only the second time in attacks over recent years that the perpetrator had held a permit to work in Israel or on an Israeli settlement.

But the attack also swayed the debate on the border closure and the generals are understood to have changed their position reluctantly, accepting the police recommendation and taking Mr Lieberman along with them.

The IDF commanders support the view of Defence Ministry officials that adding tens of thousands of new permits to the current 50 thousand will provide increased incentive for keeping the calm and improve security.

They have also recommended approving such permits for Palestinians in Gaza, although these recommendations have so far not been accepted by the cabinet.