23 Internationals from different European countries and the United
States are sitting at the Jalama military checkpoint as they were
denied entry to the West Bank city of Jenin.
The group arrived at 8:00 o’clock on Thursday morning, from Nazareth on a bicycle tour called “The Peace Cycle” which will tour the West Bank in ten days and meet with different Palestinian figures and organizations.
Karidan, spokesperson of the group told IMEMC on the phone, that the army gave conflicting reasons for why they prevent them to enter to Jenin. “One time the soldiers say, the vehicles, can go through and you go through without the bikes because the carry no license plates, another time they say, the bikes can go, but individuals can not go because you do not have permits.”
Internationals do not need permits from the Israeli authorities to enter the West Bank, yet, the Israeli army refuse to allow the group to enter Jenin.
The group told the army that they will come back on Saturday morning, and if they are denied entry, they will camp at the checkpoint.
The Peace Cycle is organized by Siraj center, a nongovernmental organization based in Beit Sahour, near Bethlehem. The organization aims to create links in between the Palestinian people with people from around the globe through travel programs, interfaith, ecumenical dialogue and culture and youth exchange programs.
