Strasbourg, 13 January 2004
Dear,
Further to my intervention yesterday at the opening session of the European Parliament on thenew restrictions on visitors to the Palestinian Territories imposed by the IsraeliAuthorities, please, find attached the document concerned.
Briefly, visitors to the West Bank and Gaza Strip are now required to apply for permission andobtain written authorisation from the Civil Administration of the Israeli Military,without which they could be deported and refused future re-entry to the State of Israel.
This measure is a further attempt by Israel to annihilate every sovereignty of thePalestinian Authority in its territories, and to isolate Palestinian people and treat themlike prisoners, controlling if and when Palestinians are allowed to have contacts with theinternational community.
This results in a clear violation of international law, a complete disregard of PalestinianAuthority, and a restriction of movement not only of international visitors, but also of EUofficials.
Foreign citizens – among them EU officials – arriving to Ben Gurion Airport or at one of thebridges from Jordan are now being handed this order, apparently as a warning, as no signatureis yet being required for entry into Israel. The threat of deportation and banning of re-entryinto Israel is especially concerning as Israel controls all borders and entry into thePalestinian Territories. Therefore a ban on entry into Israel translates into a ban on accessto the Palestinian Territories.
This measure is similar to restrictions placed on entry to the Gaza Strip in May 2003 whichrequired any foreign visitor including journalists and NGO workers to sign a form in whichthey agreed that Israel held no responsibility for their death or injury by the Israeli army.This made it difficult for international monitors and humanitarian workers to enter Gaza.
Therefore, I request you to ask the Israeli Authorities the reason of this restriction and itsimmediate withdrawal.
Sincerely yours,
Luisa Morgantini
Chairwoman of the Delegation for relations withthe Palestinian Legislative Council