Tag: Civil rights

  • East Jerusalem: military checkpoints prevent Palestinians from entering the Old City and Al-Aqsa

    9 October 2009 During the week leading up to 9 October, the Old City of Jerusalem and particularly the Muslim Quarter, were practically under siege and strict control of the Israeli armed forces. For the whole week there was a checkpoint at Damascus Gate which prevented Palestinian men from entering the Old City. Damascus Gate…

  • Israel to close West Bank for Yom Kippur

    Ma’an News The Israeli military announced a closure of the West Bank beginning at midnight on Saturday, lasting until midnight on Monday, which is the Jewish holy day Yom Kippur. Under ordinary circumstances, most Palestinians from the West Bank are barred from entering Jerusalem or crossing into Israel. The closure means that even those with…

  • How does Israel decide who gets a visa to Ramallah?

    Amira Hass | Ha’aretz 8 September 2009 Sven Ouzman, a 39-year-old archaeologist from South Africa, violated the terms of his “Palestinian Authority only” visa six times, when unintentionally and for lack of choice, he drove on roads under full Israeli control, between Palestinian Authority enclaves in the West Bank. Ouzman, who was attending a conference…

  • U.S. blasts Israeli restrictions on American travelers in West Bank

    Barak Ravid, Amira Hass & Natasha Mozgovaya ¦ Ha’aretz 20 August 2009 The United States has harshly criticized new Israeli restrictions placed on foreign nationals entering the West Bank via the Allenby Bridge, calling the new regulations ‘unacceptable’. A report on the restrictions appeared in Haaretz last week. Earlier this week, a senior official at…

  • Israel toughens entry for foreigners with West Bank ties

    Amira Hass | Ha’aretz 13 August 2009 Israel has recently been putting up more obstacles for foreign nationals who enter the country if they have family, work, business or academic ties in the West Bank. It now restricts their movements to “the Palestinian Authority only.” The people concerned are citizens of countries that have diplomatic…