This term emerged from the Oslo Accords. It is used by Israel to refer to roads, built for and used by Israelis, that link its settlements with each other and with Israel.
Bypass roads are built in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. They divide the West Bank into isolated “cantons” and block Palestinian development.
Typically, bypass roads are built to the detriment of Palestinian agricultural land and development plans. Palestinians are prohibited from using most bypass roads.