Palestine: Israeli Military Order Threatens Mass Deportation

A new military order aiming at "preventing infiltration" through deportation and/or punishment of thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank will come into force this week. Those whose ID cards bear home addresses in the Gaza Strip --- not only people born in Gaza but any of their children born in the West Bank --- those born in the West Bank or abroad who have lost their residency status, and foreign-born spouses of Palestinians are "infiltrators". They are subject to deportation, a fine of NIS 7500, and/or a jail sentence of up to seven years.

Middle East Inside Line: US Has No Plan?; Netanyahu Nuclear Snub Played Down; King Abdullah Meets Obama

Despite this violation of the Oslo Accords, Palestinians with Gaza addresses have been defined since 2000 as illegal sojourners, as if they were citizens of a foreign state. Many of them, including those born in the West Bank, have been "deported" to Gaza.



Since 2007, Palestinians with Gaza addresses have had the right to request a permit to stay in the West Bank. Indeed, since 2009, residents of East Jerusalem have no need for permission to enter Area A, which is under the control of the Palestinian Authority. This new order not only supersedes these regulations but, broadening the definition of "infiltration", and brings more Palestinians into the category of potential criminals. The term infiltrator will also be applied to Palestinian residents of Jerusalem, citizens of countries with whom Israel has friendly ties (such as the US), and Israeli citizens, whether Arab or Jewish.

Who is to judge whether someone is an "infiltrator"? Israel Defense Forces commanders in the field. So who can determine who can reside in Jericho, Ramallah, Nablus, or Hebron? Israeli commanders or the Palestinian Authority?

With this measure, Israel is provoking the "other", violating its agreements and doing its best to delegitimize the Palestinian leadership, in the eyes of both Palestinians and Israelis. It is a contradiction of Israel's official expectation that the West Bank authorities will come to the table as a "partner state"; curtailed and publicly belittled, this is a half-partner lacking the basic functions of a Government.

And so West Jerusalem, at the level of the practical rather than Washington's invocation of the rhetorical, blocks the peace process itself.

Comments

[Noah David Simon]

nonsense. a hostile party has shown itself for decades to be as such. Israel tried to make peace. Palestine didn't want any offer... of even Jerusalem on the table being offered and now if they do not want to meet at the peace table do you expect Israel to just pretend that criminals will not be treated as such? my only hope is that Israel will start killing terrorists and not leave them as bounty for exchange for hostages. Deportation is fine for petty offenses regarding the abuse of residency, but it is time to kill the leaders of violence. Remember that the manifestos of Fatah and Hamas both ask to kill Jews behind Gharquat trees... as mentioned in Islamic doctrines. How can peace be achieved with a people who are sworn to go Jew hunting behind trees? deport them before they kill Jews.

[Catherine]

More on this (partially based on a Haaretz article), including a short video that explains the painful implications of Israel's new order for a family who is representative of many others:
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/04/2010411113726639765.html

[Yasmine]

Ethnic cleansing at its best! Ilan Pappe noted that Israel has always and will always fear the growing Palestinian population, that it relies on immigration heavily.

Peace? Israel? NO WAY! lately the arrogant occupying state defied its biggest supporter the US, and is going on with its terrorist acts including demolition of Palestinian homes, deporting them from Jerusalem and West Bank, what's left?

2010 is the year Israel has decieded to hurry up and try to kill all that is Palestinian!