Israel has not installed new inspection devices at West Bank checkpoints 

Two X-ray photos have circulated on social media showing a group of people inside a vehicle. The claim is that the photo is recent and shows the Israeli occupation forces installing inspection devices at all West Bank checkpoints to prevent Palestinian workers from entering the territories, “The occupation is starting to install advanced scanners at all crossings connected to the West Bank, in continuation of its policy of preventing Palestinian workers from entering to work within the Green Line.”

Kashif verified the two images and, through a Google search, found that they are old and unrelated to Palestine. The first image shows US Border Patrol agents arresting migrants near the US border. The US Department of Homeland Security published it on 7 March 2019, stating that it was US Border Patrol agents arresting a truck driver on human smuggling charges after finding 33 illegal immigrants hidden inside the truck at an immigration checkpoint on the highway. Among them were 12 minors between the ages of 3 and 17, a pregnant woman, and a convicted felon.

The second photo was published by the Daily Mail on 10 November 2021, with the following description: “The photo shows X-rays of a group of migrants hiding behind a makeshift barrier inside a trailer.” 

After 7 October 2023, the Israeli occupation authorities imposed restrictions on the entry of Palestinian workers from the West Bank into Israel, preventing more than 190,000 workers from returning to their workplaces, causing huge economic losses for both sides. While the unemployment rate in the West Bank rose to approximately 41%, and more than 450,000 workers were added to the unemployment ranks, the Israeli economy incurred losses estimated at more than 4 billion shekels, particularly in the construction and agriculture sectors, which were primarily dependent on Palestinian labor. Despite demands from Israeli parties, including ministers and unions, that workers be allowed to return to avoid economic paralysis, the government continued to impose restrictions. 

On 3 April 2025, Israeli Economy Minister Nir Barkat declared that “there will be no return of Palestinian workers to Israel due to the Palestinian Authority’s hostile stance.” He added that the decision was not only for security reasons, but also the result of what he considered “political incitement by the Authority.” He emphasized that the alternative would be to rely on foreign workers.