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NEWS ROUND-UP

Israel uses international NGOs to consolidate unlawful fragmentation
International humanitarian and development agencies and staff serving Palestinian communities in the oPt have been the target of Israel’s latest abuse of its administrative control over the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) and its residents, in contravention of its obligations under international law. On 16 December, international NGOs (INGOs) received an email from Israeli authorities announcing that staff of international aid agencies would no longer be issued B1 work permits. Instead they would receive one year B2 visitor permits with a multiple-entry designation. The B2 visa prohibits work in Israel. Given that the Government of Israel (contrary to international law and the consensus of the international community) considers occupied East Jerusalem to be part of its own territory, this measure, like the recently introduced “Palestinian Authority Only” stamp and the ‘Separation Wall,‘ and associated permit and checkpoint regime appears to be yet another example of Israel’s numerous policies and practices designed to further entrench the unlawful fragmentation and annexation of Palestinian territory.

PA only visas continue
The number of reports received by the Campaign on individuals receiving "Palestinian Authority only" visas fell in the last three months, following a barrage of criticism in the local and international media and from diplomatic channels. However, to the Campaign‘s knowledge, Israel has yet to respond to any of the diplomatic inquiries into the matter, despite promises to do so following an inter-ministerial meeting slated for last August and cases of travellers, primarily of Palestinian or Arab nationalities, who have received the new stamp continued through to the end of 2009. All instances reported occurred at the Allenby Bridge crossing. Given efforts by Israeli authorities to insist that travellers of Palestinian origin should enter through Allenby Bridge and not Ben Gurion.

Entry denials
Among those denied entry in the last quarter of 2009, was a scholar guest of the French cultural attaché, a physio-therapist, a football coach and peace activists.

Family unification frozen
According to a recent statement by families in Gaza, at least 5,000 Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip still have no ID cards and continue to await approval of family reunification applications by the Israeli authorities.2 New ID cards have not been issued in Gaza since the summer of 2008.

Download the Situation Update (October - December 2009)