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Twinning with Palestine

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

With good preparation, successful visits can be had.

Palestinians have to contend with checkpoints, closures and other restrictions, which can make travelling to Amman difficult. When booking tickets, allow for time to get to Amman. Palestinians are NOT allowed to travel through Israel even though Ben Gurian airport is closer and easier to get to.

Palestinians need a visa to visit the U.K. Letters from the group inviting the individual or group are required. State clearly you will be looking after your guests when they are in the U.K.

If your guests have already visited the U.K. or other European States make this clear in your invitation letter.

Suggested invite letter - suggested letter when inviting Palestinians to visit the U.K. (Word doc)

If your guests are unable to prove they have adequate financial means, the consulate came to the conclusion that they may overstay their visas in Britain.

After the application has been made and is approved, visas must be collected from the British Consulate in Jerusalem. We understand it is possible for the visas to be sent to the home towns of your guests. If you know of any restrictions in place which will affect travel, let the Consul know.

If the request is denied, all is not lost. Lobby your MP and MEP's. Lobby Human Rights groups. For example, ask the Islamic Human Rights Commission to make representations on their behalf. The Nottingham, Edinburgh and Tower Hamlets groups successfully lobbied to get a denial overturned last year.

UK visas currently about £65 (536 shekels). Remember to get a Shengen visa if you want to take your visitors to Europe.

Allow £500 to £800 to cover all costs of bring an individual over.

Selecting children

This is always difficult, but providing you set down clear criteria and stick to them, you should be able to choose fairly. Oxford give preference to children who have suffered a bereavment in the family due to the occupation, or have a family member in prison.

Larger groups

If you have 10 - 15 people travelling at once, some airlines will give you a better rate. Aks around.

U.K. Consulate in Jerusalem

British Consulate-General, 19 Nashashibi Street. Sheikh Jarrah Quarter. P O Box 19690. East Jerusalem 97200. Telephone: (00) 972 (02) 541 4100 - 24 hour switchboard. E-mail; britain.jerusalem at fco.gov.uk

www.britishconsulate.org.

We hear stories of passports being held whilst Palestinians stayed in Britain, a humiliation that few in Europe and the West would tolerate whilst visiting other countries.

If you have any information that will be of use to groups bringing Palestinians over her, please let us know.

Join the Twinning with Palestine Groups facebook page for the latest news and events. www.facebook.com

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