Twinning with Palestine - entry denied to Palestinians

The Britain - Palestine Twinning Network - "promoting twinning and friendship links"

Know someone refused entry to Palestine?Please make sure it is documented - www.righttoenter.ps

Dear friends,

While Israel has always controlled access to the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) and has been known to randomly refuse entry to foreign nationals at the airport or bridge, this year we are witnessing an alarming escalation of denied-entry cases. Short-term visitors, brides and grooms, students, teachers, human rights workers, business people, and investors - of all nationalities - are at risk of being put on the next flight or bus out of their port of entry.

One major implication of these unannounced restrictions is the forced separation, a de facto deportation, of foreign passport holders married to Palestinian ID holders. Israel forces these foreign nationals, who live with their spouse and children in the oPt, to resort to tourist visas, which must be renewed every three months. There are an estimated 120,000 people in this predicament. Although continuous visa renewals are time-consuming and costly, at least they used to be possible. Israel is now refusing to let many foreign nationals back in when they leave for a visa renewal causing families to separate or relocate outside of the oPt; a silent ethnic cleansing.

PLEASE HELP US DOCUMENT CASES

The Campaign for the Right of Entry/Re-Entry (www.righttoenter.ps) was set up to counter the unannounced policy-change currently in place at the border crossings to the oPt. We need your help. Documenting incidents of entry denials is vital in order to put an end to this policy and to establish a procedure that allows foreign nationals to visit, work, and live in the oPt.

The documentation of denied-entry incidents is not a one-time effort. It will require your active involvement. Please share this information with your extended family, friends, and email-lists. Help us by encouraging those who have been denied entry to fill out the incident form. Spread the word, share the form, and follow up.

If you or anyone you know was denied entry since 2000, please download, print out and complete the form: http://www.righttoenter.ps/ReportYourCase.php?mid=16&sid=18

Fax form to the number listed. The information provided will remain confidential unless you indicate your consent on the form to share it with your respective foreign ministry.

Working to keep the doors to Occupied Palestine open

Campaign for the Right of Entry/Re-Entry to the oPt

T: 970-(0)59-817-3953