The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued new restriction on Internationals visiting the Palestinian areas. The Israeli authorities sent a guide, IMEMC has received a copy of, to embassies and consulates in Israel and to the foreign missions who work or have activities in Palestinian areas.The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued new restriction on Internationals visiting the Palestinian areas.
The Israeli authorities sent a guide, IMEMC has received a copy of, to embassies and consulates in Israel and to the foreign missions who work or have activities in Palestinian areas.
Citizens who are not registered in the Palestinian population registry are required to obtain a permit from the Israeli authorities valid up to three months only. This includes foreign spouses of Palestinian citizens, children up to the age of 16 of resident Palestinians, businesspersons, investors and bearers of a working permit for the West Bank. This also includes foreign workers of international missions and representatives of international organizations in the West Bank, in addition to lecturers and consultants and Humanitarian cases.
In addition, citizens of countries that have signed the visa-exemption agreement with Israel can show their identification documents and show purpose of their visit at Israeli borders, and they will be subject to an inspection and approval by the Israeli security, whereas citizens of countries who have not signed such an agreement with Israel need to apply for a visa at the nearest Israeli embassy or consulate.
On the other hand, foreign spouses of Palestinian citizens, childrenof residents up to the age of 16 and Humanitarian cases can receive extension to their permits for one year, and no longer than 27 months in total.
Representatives and staff of foreign missions in Palestine will get six-month extensions if approved by the Israeli authorities and for a period no longer than 27 months in total.
This will prevent thousands of families who have foreign spouses from staying together, and will tremendously affect the work of dozens of international missions that work in Palestine and serve the Palestinian community.
Many citizens who were born outside of Palestine for Palestinian parents who live in the Diaspora are not registered in the Palestine Population registry and thus are subject to these new regulations.
Israel has control over all entrances and exits to and from the West Bank and Gaza Strip, which enables Israel to control visitors who plan to meet Palestinians.
Palestinian observers believe this is part of Israel’s policy of isolating the Palestinian people and decreasing the number of internationals who visit Palestine to support the Palestinian society and serve as witnesses to Israeli violations against Palestinians.
Such controls bring up the question of a future sovereign Palestinian state, given that the Wall Israel is building in the West Bank erases chances for territorial continuity of the Palestinian areas. This contradicts with United Nations resolutions and all efforts of peace making, including the US-backed Road Map.
